FROM   THE  LIBRARY  OF 
REV.    LOUIS    FITZGERALD    BENSON,   D.  D. 

BEQUEATHED   BY   HIM   TO 

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PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY 


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PEL  SONMSf  M 

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SPIRITUAL    SON 


IN    SIX    PARTS. 


IV.  The  BSlrlvfe  . 

Lodging. 

V,  The    IJELIEVl'R'      • 
SOLILOQUY.  °t 

VI.  The  i^li;     erV? 

PRINCIPLE  s-. 


I.  The    Believer's 

Espousals. 

II.  The  Believer's 

Jointure. 
"Ill*  The  Believer's 
Riddle. 

CONCERNING, 

Creation  and   Redemi 

Law  and  GofpcU    J\r 

Ju/iification '  a  ad  %^'llU&P;40  1936 

iw/6  and    fc»>,    V£  <^ 

Heaven  and  E(?rf;b.\f  -Vv^'V/ 


„     TH't     FJtFTH    EDITIO; 
With  lara;e  Additions  a^d  "reat  Im?b 


By  RALPH  ERSKINE,    M.  A 


s?sr-3c<8fts<Z 


L  0  N  D  0 '  hT:     Prated, 

Philadelphia:    Re-printed    and    yJ 
L\  Franklin,  \n  Market- /Ir§et%  J740 


THE 

PREFACE  to  the  Reader, 

READER, 

\  f  |  *  HERE  having  been  feveral  ImpreJJions  of 
-*-  this  Book  at  Edinburgh,  and  fotne  of  them 
without  my  Knowledge •,  a?id  very  incorrecJ  ;  I  was 
the  more  eafly  induced  to  yield  to  the  earnejl  Dejirs 
ofjuch  as  urged  me  to  allow  its  being  reprinted  at  Lon- 
don. Yet  being  unwilling  it  jhould  be  pubiijh'd  tbere> 
under  all  the  Difadvantages  of  a  homely  Scotifa  Rhime, 
which  I  never  expecled  was  to  fpread  fo  far,  and  make 
fuch  apublick  Appearance  in  the  World ;  therefore  as 
I  reckon  d  my f elf  very  much  obliged  to  the  Gentleman, 
who  inclined  to  be  the  Publijher,  that  he  did  not  ad- 
venture to  reprint  any  of  the  former  Copies',  wit 
^  acquainting  me  of  his  Defign,  and  defirirg  to  hiow^  if 
*  I  had  any  Corrections  ur  Amendments  to  moke  upon  it: 
Jo  if  it  now  come  abroad 3  (as  I  hope  it  dees)  t&  more 
Advantage  than  formerly ,  it  is  muck  Giving  to  hi; 
Kindnefs  and  Civility.,  in  craving  my  Conjent,  and  riv- 
ing me  an  Opportunity  (which  I  have  taken  for  feme 
Months)  of  putting  it  into  fuch  order,  es  any  /pare 
Hour,  amidjl  my  other  weighty  Work,  would  uihiu. 

I  do  not  intend,  by  any  Corrections  1  ha*se  made 
uton  this  Book,  to  a£t  the  part  of  the  lefty  Poet,  nor 
to  ajfccl  what  is  calPd  the  Sublime  ;  /  knezv  fuch  is 
the  Deficiency  of  my  poeiical  Genius,  tho'  it  had.  been 
cultivated  by  Art  and  Application,  which  I  never  had 
l.Tme  for  ;  that  I  never  thought  myfclf  capable  of  any 
Production  of  this  jort  .  fitted  for  pkajing  the  critical 
-  A  2    *  Palate 


iv  PREFACE. 

Palate  of  a  learned  Age,  or  gratifying  thofc  of  a  polite 
Education.  And  therefore  thefe  Lines  were  never 
framed  with  that  Dtfign,  but  meerly  for  the  Benefit  of 
vulgar  Capacities,  and  of  the  common  fort  of  People, 
that  make  up  the  Generality  of  Chrijlian  Congregations  \ 
hoping  they  ?n;ght  tend,  either  to  the  Inftruclion  of  the 
Ignorant  and  Illiterate,  to  whom  the  Gofpel  is  much 
hid  ;  or  to  the  Edification  of  the  Serious  and  Exercifed, 
to  whotn  the  Goj'pel,  even  in  its  mojl  flmple  Drefs,  is 
a  joyful  Sound. 

Yet  judging  it  pojjible  alfo,  thefe  Lines  may  contri- 
bute to  reclify  feme  Miflakes  about  the  Gofpel  that  may 
take  Place,  even  among  thofe  that  are  fuperior  to 
ethers  in  many  Parts  of  Literature  :  And  not  knowing 
\into  whole  Hands  thefe  Sonnets  might  fall,  I  have  en- 
deavour din  this  Edition  to  make  fuch  Corrections  and 
Amendments,  which  I  hope  will  render  them  fill  ob- 
vious to  the  Vulgar,  and  not  altogether  naufeous  to  the 
Learned.  And  therefore  as  I  have  attempted  to  purge 
them  from  a  great  many  ExpreJJions,  which  I  thought 
were  more  mean  and  flat  than  could  well  agree  with 
jthe  Tafie  of  the  Intelligent ;  fo  I  have  .made  many  of 
the  Lines  to  run  more  fmooth  than  formerly,  4  and  in-  ^ 
ter mixed  many  Phrafes,  that  are  more  poetical ;  for  * 
which  end,  ere  I  wrote  out  this  Edition  I  have  glanced 
here  and  there  at  the  Writings  of  fome  that  I  know- 
are  at  prefent  famotfs  for  Poefy  :  But  I  own  the  Life 
and  Spirit  of  that  Art  in  them  is  more  amiable  to  me, 
than  imitable  by  me ;  and  that  neither  my  Time  nor 
Talent  can  allow  me  to  follow  them.  Tho'  I  hope  the 
following  Lines  are  not  the  worfe  that  I  have  obferved 
how  far  thefe  lofty  Performances  of  theirs  do  exceed 
the  Efforts  of  an  uncultivated  Genius,  and  how  much 
their  Vigour  and  Vivacity  may  be  wanting,  even  when 
feme  of  their*  Phrafes  or  Metaphors  are  adopted. 

However,   if  the  Subjecl  Matter  of  the  following 
Lines  Jhall  commend  itfelf  to  the  Hearts  of  the  Set  ious^ 

and 


PREFACE.  v 

emd  the  Book  through  the  Blejfing  cfGodtendtoftrread 
the  Light  and  Knowledge  of  the  Go/pel  of  Chrift,  and. 
to  draw  immortal  Souls  to  him,  my  principal  Defig-i 
therein  is  garnd.  Tho'  I  have  made  many  Additions,, 
yet  I  have  impaired  nothing  of  the  Mutter  .contai??*d 
in  the  former  Edition.  Many,  yea  mojl,  of  the  Lines 
Jland  as  they  were  before  ;  and  tho'  they  Jhould  not  be 
capable  to  fatisfy  thofe  of  a  refined  Tajle,  yet  Ijhall 
he  eafy,  if  they  he  clearly  intelligible  to  all,  andjuftly 
offenfive  to  none.^  Mean  time  I  heartily  wijh,  that 
thofe  Readers,  who  chief y  affeel  Pclitenefs  of  Language 
and  lofty  Strains,  would  endeavour,  if  ihefe  Lines  can- 
not gratify  their  Fancy,  to  improve  them  to  the  Benefit 
of  their  Souls  ',  for  if  the  latter  can  be  reached,  they 
will  the  more  eafily  difpenfe  with  the  former. 

1 he  former  Editions  had  a  great  many  Sections  with- 
out any  Title,  except  ivhat  zuas  general  in  the  Begin- 
ning of  the  Chapter.  This  Defect  I  have  here  fupplyd 
by  fuch  Titles  to  every  Seel  ion,  as  give  a  View  of  the 
main  Subj  eel -Matter  thereof:  on  the  account  of  which, 
together  with  the  Amendments,  Enlargements,  and 
Additiot^  here  made,  I  hope-  the  Book  may  be  more  ac- 
ceptable and  adapted  for  Edification  than  formerly  :  tho* 
I  oivn  the  former  Editions  have  met  with  a  more  kind 
Reception  among  ferious  Chrijiians  than  ever  I  expected; 
which  alfo  has  prompted  me  to  pf$  it  now  into  the  beji 
Order,  that  my  Time  and  other  Affairs  would  allow  \ 
in  the  Throng  whereof  I  was  urged  exceedingly  again 
and  Again  to  haft  en  it  forward.  And  perhaps  it  is 
better,  that  I  have  not  had  occafeon  to  be/low  upon  it 
all  the  Time  and  Pains  I  could  have  wi/Jjed?  fmce  it  i$ 
probable,  in  attempting  to  make  it  more  unexceptionable 
and  agreeable  to  thoje  of  a  critical  Eye,  I  might 
readily  have  made  it  lefs  intelligible  andfrviccable  <& 
others,  for  whom  it  vjas  principally  defigned. 

Tbefirfl  Part  of  this  Book  is  chiefly,  anjsf™* firft 

Place  to  be  attended  to,  as  the  Foundati^mCi {Gr™*d- 

4.   3  fVork 


vi  PREFACE. 

Work  of  the  refl,  and  containing  the  great  End  and 
Defign  of  the  Gofpel,  with  Reference  unto  Sinners, 
which  is  to  divorce  them  from  the  Law,  and  betroth 
them  unto  Christ,  that  being  dead  to  the  Law  by  the 
Body  of  Christ,  they  may  be  married  to  another, 
even  to  him  who  is  rais'd  from  the  dead,  that  they  may 
bring  forth  Fruit  unto  GOD,  Rom.  vii.  4.  Then  has 
a  Gofp el- Minijler  gained  his  great  Point  among  his  Peo- 
ple, when  he  can  fay  with  the  Apoftle,  2  Cor .  xi .  2.  I  have 
efpoufed  you  to  one  Hufband,  that  I  may  prefent 
you  as  a  chafte  Virgin  to  Christ.  Here  then  is  the 
Ground-Work  of  all  true  praclical  Religion  and  Holi- 
neis,  for  ''till  Aden  be  dead  to  the  Law,  they  cannot  live 
tin  to  God,  Gal.  ii.  19.  And  ''till  they  be  married  to 
Chrift,  they  cannot  bring  forth  Fruit  unto  God,  as  we 
fee  in  the  above-cited  Rom.  vii.  4.  And  except  they 
be  in  Chrift  by  the  Truth  of  Faith,  .and  abide  in  him 
by  a  Life  of  Fait %  they  cannot  bring  forth  Fruit  ac- 
ceptable unto  God,  John  xv.  4,  5.  Let  the  Reader  then, 
that  would  be  wife  unto  Salvation,  and  would  ivijh  to 
be  happy  in  a  Match  to  all  Eternity,  or  jointured  for 
another  World,  that  would  live  godly  /;zChristJesus 
here,  die  in  him,  and  live  forever  with  him  hereafter  ; 
make  it  his  chief  Care  to  hav&faving  Acquaintance 
with  the  great  Gofpel-Match  fet  bforejjim  in  the  firjl 
Part  of  this  Book,  -ff  do  not  expecl  any  other  Part  of 
the  Book  will  be  read  profitably,  or  comfortably,  by  thofe 
that  have  no  due  Concern  about  this  leading  Point. 

The  Gofpel-Co?Jif or  ts  treated  of  in  the  fecond Part  will- 
leave  no  true  Reli/h,    but  with  thoje  that  are  efpoufed 
unto  Chrift,    a?id  to  whom  only  God's  Jtrong  Confuta- 
tions belong,  Heb.  vi.  18. 

Tiie  Gofpel- Myjleries  treated  in  the  third  Part  will 

hd-^eno  Beauty  but  in  the  Eyes  of  Chrift'i  Bride,   or 

$  elixirs,  to  whom   it  is  given  to  know  the  Afyjleries 

*f  t'je  J*-'<rdom  of  Heaven,    while  to  others  it  is  not 

■^^'*atu  -iii.  11,  4nd  to  whofe  enlighten' d  Minds, 

Great 


PREFACE.  v, 

Great  is  the  Myftery  ofGodlinefs,  I  Tim.  iii.  1 6.  God 
manifefted  in  the  Flefh,  &c.  Thofe  that  laugh  at  the 
Myfteries  of  the  Go/pel,  under  the  Notion  of  myjlical 
Divinity ',  and  make  them  Matter  of  Sport  and  Ridi- 
cule,  have  reafon  to  fear,  left  they  be  joining  Hands 
ivith  profane  Mocker s,  whofe  Bands  fall  be  made  fir  ong. 
TVe  may  know,  that  as  divine  Myfteries  are  treated^ 
fo  is  the  Gofpel,  unlefs  we  have  forgot  that  to  preach 
the  Gofpel  is  to  fpeak  the  Wifdom  of  God  in  a  My- 
ftery,   i  Cor.  ii.   6. 

Again,  Gofpel-Ordinances,  that  are  commended  in 
the  fourth  Bart  of  this  Bock  under  the  Title  of  the  Be- 
lievers Lodging,  will  not  be  amiable,  but  to  thofe,  who 
being  acquainted  with  Chrift,  and  efpoufed  to  him,  do 
love  the  Habitation  of  his  Houfe,  and  the  Place  where 
his  Honour  dwells,  Pfal.  xxvi,  8.  and  where  they  fee  his. 
Power  and  Glory, rPfal.  Iviii.  2. 

Gofpel- Exercife  and  Heart-Work,  whereof  feme/ 
Pieces  are  touched  in  the  fifth  Part,  and  in  the  Clcfe  \ 
of  the  fourth,  will  have  little  place  but  among  thofe 
Souls,  that  are  betrothed  unto  Chrift,  whofe  Heart* 
fanclifying,  Kin-conquering,  and  Soul-comforting  Pre- 
fence,  is  their  Life,  and  whofe  great  Concern  in  his 
Abfenceis,  O  that  I  knew  where  I  might  find  him! 
Job  xxiii.  3. 

Finally,  Gofpel  Truths  and  Principles  fpoke  of  in  the 
fixth  and  lafl  Part  of  the  Book,  will  be  truly  received 
and  entertained  by  none,  but  thofe  that  are  the  Bride, 
the  Lamb's  Wife,  the  Woman  clothed  with  the  Sun, 
having  the  Moon  under  her  Feet,  and  upon  her  Head 
the  Cruwn  of  twelve  Stars,  Rev.  xiL  1.  Such  onlyi 
know  the  Truth  as  it  is  in  Jefus,  Eph*  iv>.2i;  and 
receive  the  Love  of  the  Truth  that  they  may  be  faved, 
2  Theff.  ii.  10.  Thofe  therefore  will  read  the  ether 
Paris  of  this  Book  to  moft  Edification  and 'Com 'fort,  who 
are  favingly  acquainted  with  that  fir  in..  I  Marriage- 
Rdation  to  Chrift,  which  h  iheSubjtft  ofthefirft  Part. 

Some 


viii  PREFACE. 

Some  Chapters  of  thefixth  Part  of  thefe  Sennets  are 
calculated  7?iainly  for  pointing  out  the  Difference  be- 
tween Law  and  Gofpel,  J  unification  and  Sanclification, 
Faith  and  Senfe  ;  which  I  have  the  more  largely  ivfijhd 
upon,  becaufe  I  apprehend,  that  the  more  People  have 
their  Minds  fpiritually  and  evangelically  enlightened,  fo 
as  to  have  juji  and  diftincl  Apprehenfions  of  thefe  Sub- 
jects, the  more  will  the  Life  of  Holinefs  and  Comfort  take 
place  in  them ;  and  the  Life  of  glorious  Liberty  and  F '  ee- 
^om  both  from  the-  Power  of  Corruption,  and  the  Pre- 
valency  of  mental  Confufeon,  Dijcouragcment,  and  Dc- 
fpondency^  as  our  Lord  J  e(us  fey  s,  John  viii.  32.  Ye 
ihall  know  the  Truth,  and  the  Truth  fhall  make  you 
free.  Many  Chri/tians  are  kept  in  great  Bondage,  partly 
hy  legal  Dcclrine,  ana  partly  by  their  own  legal  Difpo- 
*  fition,  both  much  owing  to  dark  and  confused  Apprehen- 
fwis  of  thefe  weighty  Points  ;  and  particularly  of  the 
Difference  beivoeen  the  Covenant  of  Works,  and  that 
of  Grace,  or  between  the  Law  and  the  Gofpel. 

I  fall  only  further  advertife  the  Reader,  lefl  he  alledge 
anylnconfijiency  between  the  Subjecl  fpoke  of  Part  6. 
Ch.  4.  Sedt.  2.  concerning  Faith,  its  benig  the  very  Op- 
■po  fit e  of  Doubts  and  Fears',  and  Se<5t.  6.  of  that  fame 
Chapter,  concerning  Faith  building  upon  Serfe,  that 
there  is  no  real  Odds,  if  you  confder,  that  in  fome 
Jerfes  of  the  former  Seclion,  Faith  is  fpoken  of  in  the 
abftracT3  and  in  its  own  Nature,  and  thus  it  is  oppefie 
to,  and  excludes  all  unbelieving  Doubts  ;  but  the  latter 
f peaks  of  it  in  the  concrete,  and  as  it  is  attended  with 
the  woful  Mixture  of  contrary  Principles.  'Thus  when 
a  Believer  is  in  Scripture  defined  as  Juch  abjhaclly, 
and  with  Reference  to  his  new  Nature  or  regenerate 
Part,  it  is  faid  he  finneth  not,  yea  cannot  fin,  1 
fohn  hi.  6,  9.  but  when  he  is  viewed  in  a  compounded 
Senfi,  to  affert  he  has  no  Sin,  is  to  contradict  God  and 
his  Truth j  1  John  i.  8,  10. 


PREFACE.  ix 

/  have  direcled  the  Reader  only  to  a  very  few  of  the 
Scriptures  referred  to  in  this  Book,  otherwife  every 
Page  might  have  been  full  of f  acred Texts  i  feme  of  them 
are  pointed  out  by  a  different  Character,  and  ferious 
Readers  ivill  know  Scripture7Language  %uithout  any 
fuch  Direction. 

I  am  far  frGm  thinking  thefe  Lines  will  be  plea fing  to 
every  one  that  Jloall  read  them,  fince  the  Mould  and 
Frame  of  many  of  them  is  far  from  pie  a  fing  my  [elf  only 
Tm  not  ajham'd  of  the  Subjeel.  The  Title  1  have  given 
to  the  Book  is  a  fhort  Indication  of  my  own  Judgment 
about  it :  for  on  the  one  Hand,  when  I  conjidered  the 
Manner,  wherein  much  of  it  is  written,  and  hswfar 
true  Poefy  is  in  my  Opinion  fuperior  thereto,  I  thought 
it  Prejumption  in  me  to  give  it  any  lofty  ''Title,  and 
that  it  was  enough  if  it  pafl  under  the  Name  of 
Sennets  ;*  yet  on  the  other  Hand,  the  Matter  contained 
therein  being  generally  fe  great  Evangelical  Myfteries, 
as  are  not  below  the  Study  of  elecl  Angels  in  Heaven, 
I  Pet.  i.  12.  far  lefs  below  the  Confederation  of  the  mojl 
intelligent  Minds  and  elevated  Thoughts  of  Men,  under 
whatever  Denomination  on  Earth  ;  I  thought  I  might 
prefume  to  diftinguijh  them  from  all  idle  and  profane 
Scribbles  under  that  Name,  by  the  high  Adjunct  and 
Epithet  of  Gofpel-Sonnets. 

Reader,  it  is  a  Matter  of  fmall  Moment,  either  to 
me  or  toyourfelf,  what  your  Thoughts  Jha 11  be  of  this 
Performance,  or  the  Author  thereof  \  hut  it  is  a  Mat- 
ter of  vaft  Confequence  what  Jball  be  your  Thought, 
Ejlimate,  and  Valuation  of  the  Truths  here  prefented 
to  your  View.  If  the  Applaufe  of  the  Learned  had 
been  the  Author  $  Scope  in  this  Book,  perhaps  he  had 
never  fuffer'd  it  to  fee  the  Light ;  let  him  therefore 
decreafe,  as  he  Jloall  and  ought,  but  let  Chrift  and  his 
Truth  increafe.  Tide  Time  is  hajlning,  wherein  you  and 
Ifnallftand  before  his  awful  Tribunal,  and  lexpecl  to 
j~eecr  meet  vjith  few  of  you,  that  are  or  Jball  be,  the 

Pleaders, 


x  PREFACE. 

Readers,' till  that  Day  which  will  declare  every  Man's 
Work,  if  if  be  Wood,  Hay-,  and  Stubble,  or  Gold, 
Silver,  and  precious  Stone,  that  he  builds  upon  the 
Foundation,  which  is  the  Lord  him/elf-,  for  other  Foun- 
dation can  no  Man  lay,  than  that  is  laid,  which  is 
Jefus  Chrift,  I  Cor.  iii.  u,  12,  13.  It  will  therefore 
be  your  Wifdom  in  the  View  of  that  great  Day  of  Ac- 
counts, and  I  would  hefeech  you  by  the  Coming  of  our 
Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  and  by  our  gathering  together  unto 
him,  2  TheiF.  ii.  1.  that  in  reading  thefe  Lines,  you 
would  ferioufy  confider  and  fee,  if  they  can  any  way 
contribute,  either  to  your  fir  ft  Building,  or  further  Pro- 
grefs  upon  thai  fur e  Foundation  God  has  laid  in  Zion  ; 
that  fo  you  and  I  both  meeting  by  Faith  here,  in  this 
true  and  only  Centre  of  fpiritual  Reft,  we  may  then 
meet  together  joyfully,  and  adore  him  for  all  the  Means 
if  Edification,  that  ever  he  was  pleafed  to  lay  in  our 
way. 

I  hope  the  main  Defign  of  this  Book  is  what  1 take 
to  be  the  main  Scope  of  the  Go/pel  itfelf  namely  to  ex- 
clude all  Self -Confidence,  and  ft  a  in  the  Pride  of  Man  , 
to  bring  in  Self-Denial,  and  exalt  the  Glory  of  Chrift, 
to^  extol  his  Right eoufnefs,  by  ivbich  he  has  magnify' 'd 
the  Law,  and  made  it  honourable,  to  exhibit  fuch  a 
Way  of  Salvation  to  Sinners,  as  fiall  moft  advance  the 
Honour  of  all  the  divine  Perfetlions,  which  fnine  moft 
brightly  in  the  Face  and  Ptrfon  of  Jefus  Chrift  ;  and  to 
bring  Men  to  fuch  a  true  and  lively  Faith  of  the  Free- 
Grace  and  Mercy  of  God  in  Chrift,  as  will  be  the 
only  folid  Root  and  Spring  of  true  Peace,  Heart-Holi- 
nefs,  and  practical  Godlinefs,  according  to  thefe  and 
the  like  Scriptures,  Rom.  v.  1.  Acts  xv.  9.  Tit.  fi.  1  1,  . 
12.  and  lii.  5,  6,  7,  8.  With  Reference  to  thefe  Sub- 
jecls  of  evcrlafting  Moment  and  eternal  C077jequen.ee, 
it  is  certainly  J af eft  for  you  to  choofe  that  fide,  that 
favours  Salvation,  not  of  the  Free- Will  of  Man,  nor  of 
Works,    but  of    the  Free-Will  of  God \  and of  Grace  ; 

and 


PREFACE.  xi 

and  that  Part,  that  deprepfes  Self  and  Self-Righteouf- 
nefs  U  the  low  eft,  and  exalts  Chrift  and  his  Righ- 
teoufnefs  to  the  higheft ;  that  fo  you  may  not  have  your 
Mind  and  Opinion  to  change,  perhaps  too  late,  when 
you  come  to  die,  or  appear  before  the  azvful  Tribunal 
cf  an  infinitely  ju/i  and  holy  God,-whofe  impartial  Trial 
nothing  will  Jiand,  that  wants  his.  own  dhnne  Stamp, 
Hence  the  immediate  Vieivs  of  Death  and  fudgmeni 
have  made  many  Oppofers  of  the  Doctrine  cf  Grace  in 
their  Lives,  own  it  as  the  bejl  Divinijy  in  their  loft 
Agonies,  and  turn  with  Bellarmine  from  the  Merit  of 
Works  in  Man,  to  the  Mercy  of  God  in  ^  Chrift.  That 
the  following  Lines  maybe  bleffed  of  God,  for  the  fpi- 
ritual  Profit  and  Edification  of  many,  and  for  advan- 
cing &  Life  of  Faith,  Holinefs,  and  Comfort  in  all  fe~ 
rious  Readers,  is  the  earnejl  Prayer  of  him,  vjho  defires 
to  account  it  his  Honour  to  be, 

A  Servant  of  Jesus  Christ, 

„  And  of  your  Faith  in  him, 

R.L 


A  TABLE  of  the  Gospel  Sonnets. 

i  .  '  .  - 

/  PARTI. 

The  Believer's  Espousals. 

Preface.  Pjge  i 

C^KAP.  I.    A  general  Account  of  Man's  Fall   in  A  Jam,  and  the 
,,    Remedy  provided  in  Chrift,    and  a  particular  Account  of  Man\s 
being  naturally  wedded  to  the  Law  as  a  Covenanc  of  Works.  a 

Seel.  I.  Toe  Fall  of  Adam.  jb. 

Seel.   2.   Rede  ption   thro'  Chrift.  4 

Seer.  2.  Mans   legal   Difpofition.  6 

Sect.  4.  Mansjlricl  Attachment  to  legal  Term!,  or  to  the  Law  as  a 
Condition  of  Life.  % 

Seel.  5.  Man's  vain  Attempt  tofeekLife  by  Chrift'j  Rightcoufnefs, 
joind<u'ith  their  own,  and  legal  Hopes  natural  to  all.  II 

CHAP.  II.  The  Manner  of  a  Sinners  Divorce  from  the  Law  in  a 
Work  of  Humiliation,  and  of  his  Marriage  to  the  Lord  J  ejus  Chriji ; 
or  the  Way  how  a  Sinner  comes  to  be  a  Believer.  15 

SeJt.  I.  Of  a  Law-Work,  and  the  Workings  of  legal  Pride  under  it.  ib. 
SefL  2.  Conviction  of  Sin  and  Wrath  carried  on    more  deeply    and 
tffcnually  on  the  Heart.  18 

5<ct.  3.  The  deeply  bumbled  Soul  relieved  with  fame  javing  Discoveries 
of  Cnrift  the  Redeemer,  21 

Seel.  4.  The  Workings  of  the  Spirit  of  Faith  in  feparatin?  the 
He:trt  f,:  i  Self-Rhhteoufnefs,  and  drawing  out  its  Confent  to  andDefire 
afttr  Chritt  al:ne  and 'wholly.  23 

Seel.  J.  Faith's  View  of  the  Freedom  of  Grace,  cordial  Renunciation 
of  off  its  own  ragged  Rigbte  ufnefs  and  for,  >.  a  I  Acceptance  of  andclofwg 
writ*  the  Perfoti  of  glorious  Chri'ft.  27 

CHAP.  II.  The  Fruits  of  the  Believer's  Marriage  with  Chrif,  parti- 
ci..J,  Gofpel-Holinefi  :nd  Obedience  to  the  Law  as  a  Rule.       29 
Sefl.  I.  Qhe  fwe-t  Sole    nity  of  the  Marriage  now  over,  and  the  fad 
JZjjcSs  df  &e  Re   ains  of  a   legal  Spirit.  29 

~S*cl.  2.    Faith" s  Vi  claries    over   Sin   and  Satan    through   new   and 
Difcovrrjes  of  Chrift,  making  Believers  more  fruitful  in  Holi- 
nefs  th.:*  all    .her  Pretenders    to  Works.  32 

Seel.  9  ir;<e  faving  Faith  magnifying  the  Law  both  as  a  Covenant 
andajfuie.     Fulfe  Faith  unfruitful  and  ruining.  34 

•_.   The  Believer  only,   being  married  to  Cbrift,   is  ju  ft  fed  and 
.:',  and  the  more  Go/pel- Freedom  fo>t  the  Law  as  a  Covenant, 
the  rrnre    cly  Conformity  to  it  as  a  Rule.  37 

-.  (,  [pel-Grace  giving  no  Liberty   to  Sin,  but   to  holy  Service 

40 
CHAP. 


The   T  A  B  L  E  xiii 

CHAP,  IV.  A  Caution  to  all  againft  a  lesal  Spirit,'  efpecially  to  thofe 
that  have  a  Profefiion  without  Power,  and  Learning  with  out  Grsce.  41 

CHAP.  V.  Arguments  and  Encouragement  to  Gcipel-Mini  ere  to 
avoid  a  legal  Strain  of  Doctrine,  and  endeavour  the  Sinner's  Match 
with  Chrifi  by  Golpel-Means.  45 

Seft.  'I.   A  le?al  Spirit  the  Root  of  damnable  Errors.  ib» 

(  Seel.  2.  A  legal  Strain  cf  Doctrine  difovered  and  discarded.  47 

SeCt.  3.   The  Hurtfulnefs  of  not  preaching  Chrift,  and  diftinguijhing 

duly  between  Law  and  Gcfpel.  4S 

Sect.  4.  Damnable  Pride    and  Self-Rightecufnefs  fo   natural   to  all 

Men.    has  little  need  to  be  encouraged  by  legal  Preaching.  50 

Sect.  5.  The  GoCpel  of  divine  Grace    the  only  Means  of  converting 

Sinners,  and  therefore  foould  be  preach"  dmoft  clearly ,  fully  and  freely.    55 

CHAP.  VI.    An  Exhortation  to  all  that  are  out  of  Chrifi ,    in  order 

to  their  clofing  the  Match   with  him,  containing  alfo  Motives  and 

Directions.  57 

Se£t.   1 .   Conviction  offered  to  Sinners,    efpeclally  fuch  as  are  wedded 

firiSly   to  the  Laiv  or  Self- Righteous,  that  they  r  ay  fee  their  Need  of 

Chrift'i  Right eoufmfs.  58 

Se£t.  2.  Directions  given  with  Reference  to  the  right  Ufe    of  the 

Means,  that  toe  reji  not  on  thefe  infead  of  Chrift  the  glorious  Rujband3 

in  whom  alone  our  Help  lies.  61 

Secl.  3.  A  Call  to  believe   in  Jefus  Chrift,  with  form  Hint  at  the 

Aa  of  Faith.  6% 

Seel:.  4.  An  Advice  to  Sinners  to  apply  to  thefevereign  Mercy  of  God, 

as  it  is  difcoverd,    through  Chrift,   to  the  I  rgbeja  Honour  ofju/iice,  ar'd 

other  divine  Attributes,    in  order  to  further  their  Faith  in  him  wr.t<t 

Salvation.  /  6j 

Se£l.  5.  The    terrible  Doom    of  Unbelievers  that  reject    the  Gc/pel- 

Match,  the  offer  d  Saviour  and  Salvation,  7 1 


PART    II. 
The  Believer's  Jointure. 

CHAP.  I.    Containing   the  Privileges  of  the  Believer  that  is.eipcufed 

to  Chrift  by  Faith  of  divine  Operation.  -1% 

Se£l.  1.  The  Believers  perfetl  Beauty,  free  Acceptance  and  full 
Security  through  the  Input  at  ion  of  Chrift' s  perfect  Righteoufnefs,  though 
in.parted  Grace  be  imperfect.  %* 

Seft.  2.  Chrift  the  Believer's  Friend,  Prophet,  Brief,  King,  Defence,- 
Guide,  Guard,  Help   and  Healer.  J     Si 

Sect.  3.  Chrift  the  Believer  s.  wonderful  Phjfician  and  wealth* 
Friend.  '  ■      %\ 

Seel.  4.  The  Believer  s  Safety  under  the  Covert  of  Chrift '5  atoning 
Blood  and  powerful  Inter ceffion.  %% 

SecL  5.  The  Believers  Faith  and  Hope  encouraged  even  in  the  darkefr , 
Nights  of  Defertion  and  Diftrefs.  ga 

Sect.  b.  Benefits  accruing  to  Believers  from  the  Offices,  Names, 
&mm^Stipring$ofSU]&,  AX 

Sect, 


xlv  The    TABLE. 

Se£t.  7.  Chrift'j  Sufferings  further  improved,  and  Believers  calVdto 
live  by  Faith,  both  when  they  have  and  ivant  fenfble  Influences.         9  5 

Se£l.   8.    Chrift  the  Believers   inrichiw  Treafure.  98 

Seft.  9.      Chrift  the  Believers  adorning  Garment.  99 

Seft.  10.   Chrift  the  Believer's  fwset  Nourijhrvent.  loo 

CHAP.  II.  .Containing  Marks  and  Chandlers  of  Believers  in  Chrift, 

together  with  fome   farther  Privileges  and  Grounds  of  Comfort  to 

the  Saints.  102 

Seft.  1.  Doubting  Believers  called  to  examine  tlemf elves  by  Marks 
drawn  fro-n  their  Love  to  him  and  his  Prefence,  their  View  of  his 
Glory,  and  their  being  emptied  of  Self-Ri'jhteoufnefs,    &c.  ib. 

Se£t.  2.  Believers  defer  i  fr  d  from  their  Faith  acling  by  divine  Aid, 
Jind  flying  quite  out  of  theif elves  to  Jefus  Chrift.  ic$ 

Seft.  3-  Believers  charaEterifed  by  the  Ob]  eels  and  Purity  of  their 
Defire,  Delight,  jfoy,  Hatred  and  Love,  difcovering  they  have  the 
Spirit  of  Chrift.  .         10S 

Sea.  4.  Believers  in  Chrift  affect  his  C  ur.fel,  Word,  Ordinances, 
Appearance,  full  Enjoyment  in  Heaven,  and fweet  Prefence  here.       ill 

Sett.  5.  The  true  Believer  s  Humility,  Dependance,  Zeol,  Grczvth, 
Admiration  of  free  Grr.ee,   and  Knowledge  of  Chrift' 5  Voice.  113 

Seft.  6.  "True  Believers  are  willing  to  be  tried  and  examined* 
Alfo  Comforts  arifing  to  them  from  Chrift' J  ready  Supply,  real JSjmfatbyi 
and  relieving  Names  fuiting  their  Needs.  116 

Se£t.  7.  The  Believers  Experience  of  Chrift1.?  comfortable  Prefrce, 
9r  of  former  Comforts,  to  bei.rprov  dfor  his  Encouragement  and  Support 
under  Darknefs   and  Hidings.  120 

Seft.  8.  Comfort  to  the^Belie-ers  from  the  Stability  of  the  Pro-  ifef 
notiuithftanding  heavy  Chafti Cements  for  Sir.  12,3 

Seft.  9.  Co  fort  to  tie  Believers  few  Chrift^  Relations,  his  dying 
Love,  his  Ghry  in  Heaven,  to  which  be  will  lead  them  through  Death, 
and fupply  them  wit  Varies  by  the  Way.  .  126 

Sedl.  10.  Comfort  to  Bplfevers  from  the  T?xt,  Thy  Maker  is  thy 
Hufband,  inverted  thus,  Thy  Hufoand  is  thy  Maker  j  and  the  Con- 
chfion  of  this  Suljefi.  12S 


PART    III. 
'The  Believer's  Riddle,  or  the  My  fiery  of  Faith. 

The  Prelate,  fhewing  the  Ufe  and  Defign  of  the  Riddle,  and  how  all 
fatal  Errors  proceed  from-  Ignorance  of  fuch  Myfteries.  132 

Sea.  1.  The  Myftery  of  the  Saint's  Pedigree,  and  efpecially  of  bis 

Relation  to  CI  Per/on.  *3*> 

Sea.   •  J u's  Life,  State  and  Frame.  _         139 

Sect  a  about  the  Si  and  Warfare,  Sins,   Sor- 

rows tin  J  Joys.  I+I 

Sea.  . .  !  in  Faith's  ExtraBicns,  Way  and  Walk,   Prayers 

t„dA  'eights  and  Depths,  Fear  and  love.  143 

■:.s  about  Flefi  and  Spirit,   Liberty  and   Bondage, 
Lift  a  1  I4;> 

Sect, 


The    TABLE.  x* 

Se<£t.  6.  The  Myftery  of  free  Juftification  through  Chrift' 's  Obedience* 
and  Satisfaction.  14.J 

Sect.  7.  ~T>6<?  Myftery  of  God  the  Jujiifer  and  Faith  jttftifying  him, 
both  in  his  juftifying  and  condemning  :  Or  Soul-Juftif cation  and  Self- 
Ccndemnation.  149 

Sect.  8.  The  Myftery  of  San Eiifi 'cation  itnperfecl  in  this  Life :  Or 
the  Believer  doing  all,  and  doing  nothing.  15 1 

Sect  9.  The  Myftery  of 'various  Names  given  to  Saints  :  Or  the  Flejb 
and  Spirit  defcrib' d  from  Inanimate  Things,  Vegetables  and  Senf  fives.    153 

Sect.  10.  The  Myftery  of  the  Saints  old  and  new  Man  further  de- 
fer ib'd,  and  the  Means  of  their  spiritual  Life.-  1 55 

Sect.  11.  The  Myftery  of  Chrift,  his  Names*  Natures  andOffices.    157 

Sect.  12.  The  Myftery  of  the  Believers  mixed  State  further  enlarged, 
and  his  getting  Good  out  of  Evil.  159 

Sect.  13.   The  Myftery  of  the  Saint' s  Adverfaries  and  Adverfties.  161. 

Sect.  14.  The  Myftery  of  the  Believer  s  Pardon  and  Security  from 
revenging  Wrath,  notivithftanding  his  Sin  s  Defert,  l6z 

S£ct.  15.      The  Myftery  of  Faith  and  Sight.  165 

Sect.  16.      The  Myftery  of  Faith  and  Works.  167 

And  of  Rewards  of  Grace  and  Debt.  168 

The  Conclufon.  169 


PART     IV. 
The    Believer's  Lodging. 

A  Paraphrafe  upon  Pfalm  84.  i*& 

Excerafe  for  the  Believer  in  his  Lodging,  four -fold.  I77 

1.  The  holy  Laiv,  or  the  ten  Commandments.  377 

2.  The  unholy  Heart,  the  Reverfe  of  God's  Law.  178 

3.  The  glorious  Gofpel  of  Chrift ,  the  Remedy.  ib. 
4  The  Prayer  of  Faith',  exemplified.  179 


PART     V. 

The  Believer's  Soliloqy, 

Especially  in  tiir.es  of  Defert  ion,  Temptation,  AfJiclion,  &c.  i£q 

Sect.  I.  The  deferted  Believer  longing  for  perfeB  Freedom  from 
f1*'  ib. 

Sect.  2.  The  deferted  Believer'' sprayer  under  Complaints,  of  Unbelief, 
Darknejs,  Deadnefs  and  Hardnefs.  jg-, 

Sect.  3.  The  Believer  ivading  through  Deeps  of  Defert  in:  e.nd 
Corruption.  « 

Sect.  4.     The   Believer's   Complaint  of  Sin,    Sorrow,    and  ivant  of 

S,ect.  5.  The  deferted  Soul's  Prayer  for  the  Lord's  gracious  and-fin- 
fubaumg  Preface.  °  * 

_  £"cr.  6.      The  Song  of  Heaven  defred  by  Saints  on  Earth.  104 

PART 


xvi  The    TABLE. 

PART     VI. 

The  Believer's  Principles. 

CHAP.  I.     Concerning  Creation  and   Redemption,    or  fome  of  the 

raft  Principles  of  the  Oracles  of  God.  19S 

Sect.  I.     Of  Creation.     The  Jirfi  Chapter  of Genefis  compendifed.    ib. 
The  Su-n  of  Creation.  2co 

Sect.  2.      Of  Redemption,   the  Myjiery  of  the  Redeemer  s  Incarnation, 

9r  God '  ntomifefted  in  the  Flejb.  20 1 

The  Sum  of  Redemption.  202 

Sect.  3.      The  Redeemer's  Work,   or  Chriir.  all  in  all  and  cur  con  pleat 

Redemption.    '  A  Gofpcl-Catechifm  for  young  Chriftians.  ib. 

Sect.  4.      Faith  and  Works  both  excluded  from  the  Matter  of  Jufiifi- 

cation  before  God,  that  Redemption  v.ay  appear  to  be  only  in  Chriit.   208 

CHAP.  II.  Concerning  the  Law  and  the  Gofpel. 

Sect.  I.      The  My  fery  of  Law  and  Gofpel.  211 

Sect.  2.      The  Difference  between  Laiv  and  Gofpel.  216 

Sect.  3.      The  Harmony  between  Laze  and  Co/pel.  22d 

Sect.  4.     The  proper  Place  and  Station  of  the  Laiv  and  the  Gofpel, 

in  four  Paragraphs.  22  5 

Paragraph    1.       The    Place   and  Station   of  Law  and   Gofpel   in 

general.  ib* 

P.-  r;\  g.  2 .  The  Place  and  Station  of  Law  and  Gofpel  in  particular.  226 
Patfag.  3.     The  Gofpel  no  new  Law,  but  a  joyful  Sound  of  Grace  and 

M'-ry.  -  232 

Paiag.  4.     The  Gofpel  further  defcrifrd  as   a  Bundle  of  good  News 

end  cjcic.ous  Pro  >:ifes.  235 

CHAP-  HI»     Concerning  Juftification  and  Sanctification,    their    Dif- 
ference and  Harmony.  238 
Sect,  1.     The  Differerce   between  Juftification  and  SanCtif,  cation,  or 
Imputed  and   Grace    imparted,      in    upwards   of  thirty 

Particulars'.  ib. 

Sect.  2.     The  Harmony  between  Juftification  and  Sanclifatlion.  245- 

CHAP.  IV.     Concerning  Faith  and  Senfe.  248' 

Sect.  1.  Faith  and \  Senfe  natural  cov.par  d  and  difiinguijo a.  ib. 
Sect.  2.  Faith  and  Setfe  fpiritual  compard  and  diflinguiffd.  25 1 
Sect,  3.  The  Harmony  and  D.fcord  between  Faith  and  Senfe.  254 
"Sect.  4.      The  Vah-ur  and  Viclories  of  Faith.  255 

Sect.  5.     The  Heights  and  Depths  of  Senfe.  258 

Sect.  6.     Faith  and  Frair.es  compared,   of  Faith  building  upon  Senfe 

di\..  otoer*d.  260 

CHAP.  V.     Concerning  Heaven  and  Earth.  264 

Sect.  1.     The  Work- and  Contention  of  Heaven,  ib. 

Sect.  2.     Earth  defpicable,  Heaven  dejirable,  iC8 

m 

GOSPEL 


GOSPEL  SONNETS 


j 


OR 


SPIRITUAL    SONGS. 


PART    I. 

ft   Beiiever's    Espousals; 


POEM    upon    Isaiah    liv. 
Maker  is  thy  Hufband. 

PREFACE. 


5-  Thy 


TJARK,  dying  Mortal !  if  the  Sonnet  prove 
**  ■*■  A  Song  of  living  and  immortal  Love, 
yTis  then  thy  grand  Concern  the  Theme  to  know. 
If  Life  and  Immortality  be  fo. 
Are  Eyes  to  read,  or  Ears  to  hear,  a  Truji  ? 
Shall  both  in  Death  be  cramntd  anon  with  Duji  ? 
Then  trifle  not  to  pleaje  thine  Ear  and  Eye, 
But  read  thou,  hear  thou,  for  Eternity. 
Purfue  not  Shadows  wing'd,  but  be  thy  Chafe, 
The  God  of  Glory  on  the  Field  of  Grace  : 
The  mighty  fjunter^  Name  is  lojl  in.  vain, 
That  runs  not  this  fubftantial  Prize  to  gain* 
TJ?efe  humble  Lines  affume  no  high  pretence, 
To  pkafe  thy  Fancy  or  allure  thy  Senfe  j 

B  But 


2         GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

But  aim,  if  everla fling  Life's  thy  Chafe, 

To  clear  thy  Mind*  and  warm  thy  Heart  through  Grace, 

A  Marriage  fo  ?nyfierious  I  proclaim, 
Betwixt  two  Parties  of  fuch  different  Fame, 
That  human  Tongues  may  blujh  their  Names  to  tell, 
To  wit,  the  Prince  ^Heav'n,  the  Heir  0/HelH 
But,  on  fo  vafl  a  Subjecl,  who  can  find 
Words  fuiting  the  Conceptions  of  his  Mind? 
Or  if  our  Language  with  our  Thought  could  vie, 
IVlmt  mortal  Thought  can  raife  itfelffo  high  ? 
When  Words  and  Thoughts  both  fail,    may    Faith  and 

Pray'r 
Afcend  by  climbing  up  the  Scripture-Stair : 
From  Sacred  Writ  tbefe  flrange  Efpoufals  may 
Be  explicated  in  ike  following  Way, 


CHAR    I. 

A  General  Account  of  Man's  Fall  in  Adam, 
and  the  Remedy  provided  in  Christ: 
And  a  particular  Account  of  Man's  being 
naturally  wedded  to  the  Law,  as  a  Cove- 
nant of  Works. 


SECT.    I. 

^Fall«/ADAM. 

f\LT)  Adam  once  a  Heav'n  of  Pleafure  found, 
^^   While  he  with  perfect  Innocence  was  crovvn'd  : 
His  wing'd  Affections  to  his  God  could  move. 

In  Raptures  of  IMre,  and  Strains  of  Love. 

Mao 


Part  I.  The  Believer's  Efpoufals.  3 

Man  {landing  fpotlefs,  pure  and  innocent, 
Could  well  the  Law  of  Works  with  Works  content  j 
Tho'  then,  (nor  fince)  it  could  demand  no  lefs 
Than  perfonal  and  perfect  Righteoufnefs  : 
Thefe  unto  finlefs  Man  were  eafy  Terms, 
Tho"  now  beyond  the  reach  of  wither'd  Arms. 
The  legal  Cov'riant  then  upon  the  Field, 
Perfection  fought,  Man  could  Perfection  yield. 
Rich  had  he,  and  his  Progeny,  remained, 
Had  he  primeval  Innocence  maintain'd  : 
His  Life  had  been  a  Reft  without  Annoy,   _ 
A  Scene  of  Blifs,  a  Paradife  of  Joy. 
But  fubtle  Satan,  in  the  Serpent  hid, 
Propofing  fair  the  Fruit  that  God  forbid, 
Man  foon  feduc'd  by  Hell's  alluring  Art, 
Did,  difobedient,  from  the  Rule  depart, 
Devour' d  the  Bait,  and  by  his  bold  Offence 
Fell  from  his  blifsful  State  of  Innocence, 
Proftrate,  he  loft  his  God,  his  Life,  his  Crown, 
From  all  his  Glory  tumbled  head-long  down, 
Plung'd  in  a  deep  Abyfs  of  Sin  and  Woe, 
Where,  void  of  Heart  to  will,  or  Hand  to  do, 
For's  own  Relief  he  can't  command  a  Thought; 
The  total  Sum  of  what  he  can  is  nought. 
He's  able  only  now  t  encreafe  his  Thrall, 
He  can  deftroy  himfelf,  and  this  is  all. 
But  can  the  Hellifh  Brat  Heav'n's  Law  fulfil?   - 
Whofe  Precepts  high  furmount  his  Strenth  and  Skill. 
-  Can  filthy  Drofs  produce  a  golden  Beam  ? 
Or  poifon'd  Springs  a  falutif'rous  Stream  ? 
Can  carnal  Mrnds,  fierce  Enmity's  wide  Maw, 
Be  duly  fubjecl:  to  the  divine  Law  ? 
Nay,  now  its  direful  Threat' nings  muft  take  place* 
|  On  all  the  difobedient  Human  Race, 
I  Who  do  by  Guilt  Omnipotence  provoke, 
(^Obnoxious  ftand  to  his  uplifted  Stroke  ; 

B  %  They 


4  GOSPEL     SONNETS. 

They  muft  ingulf  themfelves  in  endlefs  Woes, 
Who  to  the  living  God  are  deadly  Foes ; 
Who  natively  his  holy  Will  gainfay, 
Muft  to  his  awful  Juftice  fall  a  Prey. 
In  vain  do  Mankind  now  expect,  in  vain 
By  legal  Deeds  immortal  Life  to  gain  : 
Nay,  Death  is  threaten'd,  Threats  muft  have  their 

Due, 
Or  Sculs  that  fin  muft  die,  as  God  is  true. 


SECT.     II. 

Redemption  through  Christ. 

*TP  H  E  Second  Adam,    Sov'reign  Lord  of  All, 

*      Did  by  his  Father's  authorizing  Call, 
Frcm  Bofom  of  Eternal  Love  defcend, 
To  fave  the  guilty  Race  that  him  offend ; 
To  treat  an  everlafting  Peace  with  thole, 
Who  were  and  ever  would  have  been  his  Foes. 
His  Errand,  never-ending  Life  to  give 
To  them,  whofe  Malice  would  not  let  him  live. 
To  make  a  Match  with  Rebels,  and  efpoufe 
The  Brat  which  at  his  Love  her  Spite  avows. 
Himself  he  humbled  to  deprefs  her  Pride, 
And  make  his  mortal  Foe  his  loving  Bride. 
But  ere  the  Marriage  can  be  folemniz'd, 
All  Lets  muft  be  remov'd,  all  Partie^pleas'd. 
Law-Righteoufnefs  requird  muft  be  procur'd, 
Law-Vcnge.mce  threaten' V7,  muft  be  full  endur'd  r 
Ste  n  J  itice  muft  have  Credit  by  the  Match, 
Swet  Mercy  by  the  Heart  the  Bride  muft  catch. 
Poor  Bankrupt !  All  her  Debt  muft  firft  be  paid, 
Her  former  Hwfband  in  t,h«  Grave  be  laid  i- 

Her 


Part  I       The  Believer's  Efpoufals.  5 

Her  prefent  Lover  muft  be  at  the  Coft, 
To  fave  and  ranfom  to  the  uttermoft. 
If  all  thefe  Things  this  Suitor  kind  can  do, 
Then  he  may  win  her,  and  her  Bleiling  too. 
Hard  Terms  indeed !  While  Death's  the  firit  Demand, 
But  Love  is  ftrong  as  Death,  and  will  not  ftand, 
T<?  carry  on  the  Suit,  and  make  it  good, 
Tho'  at  the  deareft  Rate  of  Wounds  and  Blood. 
The  Burden's  heavy,  but  the  Back  is  broad, 
The  glorious  Lover  is  the  mighty  God. 
Kind  Bowels  yearning  in  th'  eternal  Son, 
He  left  his  Father's  Court,  his  heav'nly  Throne  : 
Afide  he  threw  his  moft  divine  Array, 
And  wrapt  his  Godhead  in  a  Veil  of  Clay. 
Angelick  Armies,  who  in  Glory  crown'd, 
With  joyful  Harps  his  awful  Throne  furround, 
Down  to  the  cryftal  Frontier  of  the  Sky, 
To  fee  the  Saviour  born  did  eager  fly  -, 
And  ever  fince  behold  with  Wonder  frefli 
Their  Sov'reign  and  our  Saviour  wrapt  in  Flefh, 
Who  in  this  Garb  did  mighty  Love  difplay, 
Reftoring  what  he  never  took  away, 
To  God  his  Glory,  to  the  Law  its  Due, 
To  Heav'n  its  Honour,  to  the  Earth  its  Hue. 
To  Man  a  Righteoufnefs  divine,  complete, 
A  royal  Robe  to  fuit  the  Nuptial  Rite. 
He  in  her  Favours  whom  he  lov'd  fo  well, 
At  once  did  purchafe  Heav'n,  and  vanquifh  Hell: 
Oh  unexampl'd  Love  !  So  vail,  fo  ftrong, 
So  great,  fo  hj^h,  fo  deep,  fo  broad,  fo  long ! 
Can  finite  Thought  this  Ocean  huge  explore, 
Unconfcious  of  a  Bottom  or  a  Shore  ? 
His  Love  admits  no  Parallel  \  for  why, 
At  one  great  Draught  of  LovgJie  drank  Hell  dry. 
No  Drop  of  wrathful  Gall  he  left  behind, : 
No  Dreg  to  witnefs  that  he  was  unkind. 

B  2  The 


6         GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

The  Sword  of  awful  Juftice  pierc'd  his  Side, 
That  Mercy  thence  might  gum  upon  the  Bride. 
The  meritorious  Labouis  of  his  Life, 
And  glorious  ConqueiTs  of  his  dying  Strife, 
Her  Debt  of  Doing,  Suffering,  both  cancell'd, 
And  broke  the  Bars  his  lawful  Captive  held. 
Down  to  the  Ground  the  Hellifli  Hofts  he  threw, 
Then  mounting  high,  the  Trump  of  Triumph  blew, 
Attended  with  a  bright  feraphic  Band, 
Sat  down  enthron'd  fubiime  on  God's  Right-Hand ; 
Where  glorious  Choirs  their  various  Harps  employ, 
To  found  his  Praifes  with  confed'rate  Joy. 
There  he,  the  Bride's  ftrong  Interceflbr  fits, 
And  thence  the  Bleffings  of  his-Blood  tranfmits, 
Sprinkling  all  o'er  the  flaming  Throne  of  God, 
Pleads  for  her  Pardon  his  atoning  Blood ; 
Sends  down  his  holy  co-eternal  Dove, 
To  fhew  the  Wonders  of  incarnate  Love. 
To  woo  and  win  the  Bride's  reluctant  Heart, 
And  pierce  it  with  his  kindly  killing  Dart : 
By  Gofpel-Light  to  manifeft  that  now 
She  has  no  farther  with  the  Law  to  do, 
That  her  new  Lord  has  loos'd  the  fed'ral  rTye> 
That  once  hard  bound  her  or  to  do  or  die. 
That  Precepts,  Threats,  no  fingle  Mite  can  crave: 
Thus  for  her  former  Spoufe  he  digg'd  a  Grave, 
The  Law  fail  to  his  Crofs  did  nail  and  pin,  -} 

Then  bury'd  the  Defunct  his  Tomb  within,  C 

That  he  the  lonely  Widow  to  himfelf  might  win.  3 


SECT.     III. 

Marfs    Legal   Difpofition. 

PUT,  after  all,  the  Bride's  fo  malecontent,         ~> 
■*-'  No  Argument,  fave  Power,  is  prevalent, 
To  bow  her  Will,   and  gain  her  Heart's  Confent.  ^ 

The 


Part  I,       The  Believer's  Efpoufals.  ; 

The  glorious  Prince's  Suit  (he  difapproves, 
The  Law  her  old  primordial  Hufband  loves ; 
Hopeful  in  its  Embraces  Life  to  have, 
Tho'  dead  and  bury'd  in  her  Suitors  Grave  ; 
Unable  to  give  Life,  as  once  before  j 
Unfit  to  be  a  Hufband  any  more. 
Yet  proudly  fhe  the  new  Addrefs  difdains, 
And  all  the  bleft  Redeemer's  Love  and  Pains. 
Tho'  now  his  Head,  that  cruel  Thorns  did  wound, 
Is  with  immortal  Glory  circled  round  ; 
Archangels  at  his  awful  Footftool  bow, 
And  drawing  Love  fits  fmiling  on  his  Brow. 
Tho'  down  he  fends  in  Gofpel-Tidings  good 
Epiftles  of  his  Love,  fign'd  with  his  Blood  : 
Yet  lordly  fhe  the  royal  Suit  rejects, 
Eternal  Life  by  Legal  Works  affects  ; 
In  vain  the  Living  feeks  among  the  Dead, 
Sues  quick'ning  Comforts  in  a  killing  Head. 
Her  dead  and  bury'd  Hufband  has  her  Heart, 
Which  can  nor  Death  remove,  nor  Life  impart. 
Thus  all  revolting  Adam's  blinded  Race, 
In  their  firft  Spoufe  their  Hope  and  Comfort  place. 
They  natively  expecl:,  if  Guilt  them  prefs, 
Salvation  by  a  home-bred  Righteoufnefs  : 
They  look  for  Favour  in  Jehovah's  Eyes, 
By  careful  doing  all  that  in  them  lies. 
'Tis  ftill  their  primary  Attempt  to  draw 
Their  Life  and  Comfort  from  the  veteran  Law  ; 
They  fly  not  to  the  Hope  the  Gofpel  gives,  ~> 

To  truft  a  Promife  bare,  their  Minds  aggrieves,    > 
Which  judge  the  Man  that  does,  the  Man  that  lives,  ^ 
As  native  as  they  draw  their  vital  Breath, 
Their  fond  Recourfe  is  to  the  Legal  Path. 
Why,  fays  old  Nature  in  law- wedded  Man, 
"  Won't  Heav'n  be  pleas'd,  if  I  do  all  I  can  ? 
4  If  I  conform  my  Walk  to  Nature's  Light, 
u  And  ftrive,  intent  to  praclife  what  is  mht  ? 

B4  .  ~"Thus, 


$%      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

*<  Thus,  won't  T  by  the  God  of  Heav'n  be  blefs'd, 

*c  And  win  his  Favour,  if  I  do  my  beft  ? 

*'  Good  God !  (he  cries)  when  prefs'd  with  Debt 

and  Thrall, 
*{  Have  Patience  with  me9  and  F 11  pay  thee  all!  * 
Upon  their  All,  their  Beft,  they're  fondly  mad, 
Tho'  yet  their  All  is  naught,  their  Beft  is  bad. 
Proud  Man  his  Can-does  mightily  exalts, 
Yet  are  his  brighter!:  Works  but  fplendid  Faults. 
A  Sinner  may  have  Shews  of  Good,  but  ftill 
The  beft  he  can,  even  at  his  beft,  is  ill. 
Can  Heav'n  or  divine  Favour  e'er  be  win, 
By  thofe  that  are  a  Mafs  of  Hell  and  Sin  ? 
The  righteous  Law  does  numerous  Woes  denounce, 
Againft  the  wretched  Soul  that  fail  but  once : 
What  Heaps  of  Curfes  on  their  Heads  it  rears, 
'  J'hat  have  amafs'd  the  Guilt  of  numerous  Years  ! 

*  Matth.  xviii.  26. 


SECT.    IV. 

Mart '«  ftricl  Attachment   to  legal  Terms,    or  to  the 
Law  as  a  Condition  of  Life. 

CAY,  on  what  Terms  then  Heav'n  appeas'd  will  be? 
*^   Why,  fure,  Perfeclion  is  the  leaft  Degree. 
Yea  more,  full  Satisfaction  muft  be  given 
For  Trefpafs  done  againft  the  Laws  of  Heaven. 
Thefe  are  the  Terms  ;  what  mortal  Back  fo  broad, 
But  muft  for  ever  fink  beneath  the  Load. 
A  Ranfome  muft  be  found,  or  die  they  muft, 
Sure,  even  as  Juftice  infinite  is  juft. 
But,  fays  the  legal,  proud,  felf-righteous  Heart, 
Which  cannot  with  her  ancient  Confort  part, 
"  What !  won't  the  Goodnefs  of  the  God  of  Heaven 
* fc  Admit  of  Smalls  when  greater  can't  be  given  ? 

"He 


Pa  rt  I.  the  Believer's  Efpmfals.  '  § 

*VHe  knows  our  Fall  diminifh'd  all  our  Funds, 

"  Won't  he  accept  of  Pennies  now  for  Pounds  ? 

<c  Sincere  Endeavours  for  Perfection  take, 

ci  Or  Terms  more  poffible  for  Mankind  make  ?  * 

Ah  'I  poor  Divinity,  and  Jargon  loofe, 

Such  Hay  and  Straw  will  never  build  the  Houfc* 

Miftake  not  here,  proud  Mortal,  don't  miftake, 

God  changes  not,  nor  other  Terms  will  make. 

Will  divine  Faithfulnefs  itfelf  deny, 

I  Which  fwore  folemnly  Man  fhall  do  or  die  ? 
Will  God  moft  true  extend  to.  us  forfooth, 
His  Goodnefs  to  the  Damage  of  his  Truth  ? 
Will  fpotlefs  Holinefs  be  baffled  thus  ? 
Or  awful  Juftice  be  unjuft  for  us  ? 
Shall  Faithfulnefs  be  faithlefs  for  our  Sake, 
And  he  his  Threats,  as  we  his  Precepts  break? 
Will  our  great  Creditor  deny  himfelf  ? 
And  for  full  Payment  take  our  filthy  Pelf? 
Difpenfe  with  Juftice,  to  let  Mercy  vent? 
And  ftain  his  Royal  Crown  with  miniih'd  Rent  I 
Unworthy  Thought !  O  let  no  mortal  Clod 
Hold  fuch  bafe  Notions  of  a  glorious  God. 

*  Heaven's  holy  Cov'nant  made  for  human  Race, 
Confifts,  or  whole  of  Works,  or  whole  of  Grace. 
If  Works  will  take  the  Field,  then  Works  muft  be 
For  ever  perfecl:  to  the  laft  Degree  : 
Will  God  difpenfe  with  lefs  ?  Nay  fure,  he  won't 
With  ragged  Toll  his  royal  Law  affront. 
Can  Rags  that  Sinai  Flames  will  foon  difpatch, 
E'er  prove  the  fiery  Law's  adequate  Match  ? 
Vain  Man  muft  be  divorc'd,  and  choofe  to  take 
Another  Hufband,  or  a  burning  Lake. 

We  find  the  divine  Volume  no  where  te^ch, 
New  legal  Terms  within  our  mortal  Reach. 
Some  make,  tho'  in  the  facred  Page  unknown, 
Sincerity 'aflu me  Perfusion's  Throne: 

But 


io       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

But  who  will  boaft  this  bafe  Ufurper's  Sway,         J 
«cave  Minifters  of  Darknefs  that  difplay 
Invented  Night  to  ftifle  Scripture-Day  ?  3 

The  Naturalifts  Sincerity  is  nought, 
That  of  the  Gracious  is  divinely  taught, 
Which  Teaching  keeps  their  Graces,  if  fincere, 
Within  the  Limits  of  the  Gofpel  Sphere, 
Where  vaunting,  none  created  Graces  fing, 
Nor  boaft  of  Streams,    but  of  the  Lord,  the  Spring, 
Sincerity's  the  Soul  of  every  Grace,  I 

The  Quality  of  all  the  ranfom'd  Race. 
Of  promis'd  Favour  'tis  a  Fruit,  a  Claufe, 
But  no  procuring  Term,  no  moving  Caufe. 
How  unadvis'd  the  legal  Mind  confounds 
The  Marks  of  divine  Favour  with  the  Grounds, 
And  Qualities  of  covenanted  Friends 
With  the  Condition  of  the  Cov'nant  blends  ? 
Thus  holding  Gofpel-Truths  with  legal  Arms, 
Miftakes  new  Cov'nant  Fruits  for  Fed'ral  Tern^fc 
The  joyful  Sound  no  Change  of  Terms  allows,      \* 
But  Change  of  Perfons,  or  another  Spoufe. 
The  Nature  fame  that  finn'd  mull  do  and  die ;  \ 

No  milder  Terms  in  Gofpel-Offers  lie. 
For  Grace  no  other  Law- Abatement  fhews,  / 

But  how  Law- Debtors  may  reftore  its  Dues  ; 
Reftore,  yea,  through  a  Surety  in  their  place, 
With  double  Intereft  and  a  better  Grace. 
Here  we  of  no  new  Terms  of  Life  are  told, 
But  of  a  Huiband  to  fulfil  the  old  ; 
With  him  alone  by  Faith  we're  call'd  to  wed, 
And  let  no  Rival  *  bruik  the  Marriage -Bed. 

*  Enjoy. 

SECT. 


Part  L        The  Believer's  EJpoufals.  1 1 


SECT.    V. 

Mens  vain  Attempt  to  feek  Life  by  Christ's  Righ- 
teoufnefs, joirfd  with  their  own  j  And  legal  Hopes 
natural  to  all. 

ID  UT  flill  the  Bride  relu&ant  difallows 

*J  The  junior  Suit,  and  hugs  the  fenior  Spoufe 

Such  the  old  felfifh  Folly  of  her  Mind, 

So  bent  to  lick  the  Duft,  and  grafp  the  Wind, 

Ailedging  Works  and  Duties  of  her  own 

May  for  her  criminal  Offence  atone  ; 

She  will  her  antick  dirty  Robe  provide, 

Which  vain  fhe  hopes  will  all  Pollutions  hide. 

The  filthy  Rags  that  Saints  away  have  flung, 

She  holding,  wraps  and  rolls  herfeif  in  Dung, 

Thus  maugre  all  the  Light  the  Gofpel  gives, 

Untoiier  natural  Confort  fondly  cleaves. 

Tho'  Mercy  fet  the  Royal  Match  in  view, 

She's  loth  to  bid  her  ancient  Mate  adieu. 

When  Light  of  Scripture,  Reafon,  common  Senfe, 

Can  hardly  mortify  her  vain  Pretence 

To  legal  Righteoufnefs  ;  yet  if  at  laft 

Her  Confcience  rous'd  begins  to  ftand  aghaft, 

Prefs'd  with  the  Dread  of  Hell,  fhe'l!  rafhiy  patch, 

And  halve  a  Bargain  with  the  profer'd  March  : 

In  hopes  his  Help  together  with  her  own 

Will  turn  to  peaceful  Smiles  the  wrathful  Frown. 

Tho'  Grace  the  Rifing  Sun  delightful  iings, 

With  full  Salvation  in  his  golden  Wings, 

And  Righteoufnefs  complete,  the  faithlcfs  Soul, 

Receiving  half  the  Light,  rejects  the  whole  ; 

Revolves  the  lacred  Page,   bat  rend-  purblind 

The  Gefpei-MeUage  with   a  legal  MinV;. 

Msn 


12      GOSPEL    SONNETS, 

Men  dream  their  State,  ah !  too  too  flightly  view'd, 
Needs  only  be  amended,  not  renew'd, 
Scorn  to  be  wholly  Debtors  unto  Grace. 
Hopeful  their  Works  may  meliorate  their  Cafe. 
They  fancy  prefent  Pray'rs  and  future  Pains, 
Will  for  their  former  Failings  make  amends  : 
To  legal  Yokes  they  bow  their  fervile  Necks,       ^ 
And  left  foul  Slips  their  falfe  Repofe  perplex,  >- 

Think  Jesus'  Merits  make  up  all  Defects.         J 
They  patch  his  glorious  Robe  with  filthy  Rags, 
And  burn  but  Incenfe  to  their  proper  Drags. 
Difdain  to  ufe  his  Righteoufnefs  alone,  ^ 

But  as  an  aiding  Stirr'p  to  mount  their  own  ;        >- 
Thus  in  Chrift's  room  his  Rival  Self  enthrone,     3 
And  vainly  would,  drefs'd  up  in  legal  Trim, 
Divide  Salvation  'tween  themfelves  and  him. 
But  know,  vain  Man,  that  to  his  (hare  mull  fall 
The  Glory  of  the  whole,  or  none  all. 
In  him  all  Wifdom's  hidden  Treafures  lie, 
And  all  the  Fulnefs  of  the  Deity. 
This  Store  alone,    immenfe,  and  never  fpent, 
Might  poor  infolvent  Debtors  well  content  ; 
But  to  Hell-Prifon  juftly  Heav'n  will  doom 
Proud  Fools  that  on  their  petty  Stock  prefume. 
The  fofteft  Couch  that  gilded  Nature  knows, 
Can  gfve  the  waken'd  Confcience  no  Repofe. 
WThen  God  arraigns,  what  mortal  Power  can  (land 
Beneath  the  Terror  of  his  lifted  Hand  ? 
Our  Safety  lies  beyond  the  natural    Line, 
Beneath  a  purple  Covert  all  Divine. 
Yet  how  is  precious  Chrifr,  the  Way,  defpis'd, 
And  high  the  Way  of  Life  by  Doing  priz'd  ? 
But  can  its  Votaries  all  its  Levy  fhow  ? 
They  prize  it  molt,  who  leaft  its  Burden  know  : 
Who  by  the  Law  in  part  would  fave  his  Soul, 
Becomes  a  *  Debtor  to  fulfil  the  whole. 

Its 
*  Gal,  v.  3. 


Part  I.       The  Believers  Efpoufals.  i§ 

Its  Prifoner  he  remains,  and  without  Bail, 

fTill  every  Mite  be  paid  ;  and  if  he  fail, 

(As  fure  he  muft,  fince  by  our  finful  Breach, 

Perfection  far  furmounts  all  mortal  Reach) 

Then  curft  for  ever  muft  his  Soul   remain  ; 

And  all  the  Folk  of  God  muft  fay,    Amen* 

Why,  feekingthat  the  Law  fhould  help  afford; 

In  honouring  the  Law,  he  flights  its  Lord,  \ 

Who  gives  his  Law- fulfilling  Righteoufnefs, 

To  be  the  naked  Sinner's  perfect  Drefs  ; 

In  which  he  might  with  fpotlefs  Beauty  fhine, 

Before  the  Face  of  Majefty  divine  : 

Yet  lo  !  the  Sinner  works  with  mighty  Pains, 

A  Garment  of  his  own  to  hide  his  Stains, 

Ungrateful  overlooks  the  Gift  of  God, 

The  Robe  wrought  by  his  Hand,  dy'd  in  his  Blood. 

In  vain  the  Son  of  God  this  Web  did  weave, 
Could  our  vile  Rags  fufHcient  Shelter  give. 
In  vain  he  every  Thread  of  it  did  draw, 
Could  Sinners  be  o'ermantled  by  the  Law. 
Can  Men's  Salvation  on  their  Works  be  built, 
Whofe  faireft  Actions  nothing  are  but  Guilt  I 
Or  can  the  Law  fupprefs  th'  avenging  Flame, 
When  now  its  only  Office  is  to  damn  \ 
Did  Life  come  by  the  Law  in  part  or  whole, 
J31eft  Jesus   died  in  vain  to  fave  a  Soul. 
Thofe  then  who  Life   by  legal  Means  expect, 
To  them  is  Christ   become  of  no  effect  ; 
Becaufe  their  legal  Mixtures  do  in  fact 
Wifdom's  grand  ProjecT:  plainly  counteract. 
How  clofe  proud  carnal  Reafonings  combine, 
To  fruftrate  Sovereign  Grace's  great  Defign  ? 
Man's  Heart  by  Nature  weds  the  Law  alone, 
Nor  will  another  Paramour  enthrone. 

True,  many  feem  by  Courfe  of  Life  profane, 
No  Favour  for  the  Law  to  entertain ; 

But 
*  Dwtx  xxvii.  26. 


i4        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

But  break  the  Bands,  and  caft  the  Cords  away, 
That  would  their  raging  Lufts  and  Pafiions  flay  :      , 
Yet  even  this  reigning  Madnefs  may  declare, 
How  ftric"t.ly  wedded  to  the  Law  they  are ; 
For  now  (however  rich  they  feem'd  before)  ^ 

Hopelefs  to  pay  Law-Debt,  they  give  it  o'er,         / 
Like  defp'rate  Debtors  mad,  ftill  run  themfelves^ 
in  more,  ) 

Defpair  cf  Succefs  fhews  their  ftrong  Defires, 
'Till  legal  Hopes  are  parch'd  in  luftfu;  Fires. 
"  Let's  give  (lay  they)  our  lawlefs  Will  free  Scope, 
<c  And  live  at  random,  for  there  is  no  Hope  * 
The  Law  that  can't  'em  help,  they  ftab  with  Hate, 
Yet  fcorn  to  beg,  or  court  another  Mate. 
Here,  Lufts  moft  oppofite  their  Hearts  divide, 
Their  beaftly  Paflion,  and  their  bankrupt  Pride, 
In  Pafton  they  their  native  Mate  deface, 
In  Pride  difdain  to  be  oblig'd  to  Grace. 
Hence  plainly,  as  a  Rule  'gainft  Law  they  live, 
Yet  clofely  to  it  as  a  Cov'nant  cleave. 
Thus  legal  Pride  lies  hid  beneath  the  Patch, 
And  ftrong  Averfion  to  the  Gofpel-Match. 

jer.  xviii.   12. 


CHAP. 


Part  I.         The  Believer's  Efpoufals.  15 

CHAP.     II. 

The  Manner  of  a  Sinner's  Divorce  from  the 
Law  in  a  Work  of  Humiliation,  and  of 
his  Marriage  to  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  5 
Or  the  Way  how  a  Sinner  comes  to  be  2 
Believer. 

* '   ■■  »»» 

SEC  T.    t 

Of  a  Law-Work,  and  the  Workings  of  legal  Pride 

under  it* 

CO  proud's  the  Bride,  fo  backwardly  difpos'd, 

^  How  then  mall  e'er  the  happy  Match  be  clos'd  f 

Kind  Grace  the  Tumults  of  her  Heart  muft  quell, 

And  draw  her  Heav'nward  by  the  Gates  of  Hell. 

The  Bridegroom's  Father  makes  by's  holy  Sp'rit 

His  ftern  Command  with  her  ftiffConfciencemeet ; 

To  dafh  her  Pride,  and  fhew  her  utmoft  need, 

Purfues  for  double  Debt  with  awful  Dread. 

He  makes  her  former  Hufband's  frightful  Ghoft 

Appear  and  damn  her,  as  a  Bankrupt  loft, 

With  Curfes,  Threats,  and  Sinai  Thunder-claps, 

Her  lofty  Tower  of  legal  Boafting  faps. 

Thefe  humbling  Storms  in  high  or  low  Degrees, 

Heaven's  Majefty  will  meafure  as  he  pleafe  1 

But  ftill  he  makes  the  fiery  Law  at  leaft 

Pronounce  its  awful  Sentence  in  her  Breaft, 

'Till  through  the  Law  *  convic~b  of  being  loft, 

She  hopelefs  u  the  Law  give,  up  the  Ghoft ; 

Which 
Gal,  iu  19. 


i6        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

Which  now  in  Rigour  comes  full  Debt  to  crave, 

And  in  clofe  Prifon  caft  -,  but  not  to  fave.  i 

For  now  'tis  weak,  and  can't  (through  our  Default) 

Its  greater!:  Votaries  to  Life  exalt. 

But  well  it  can  command  with  Fire  and  Flame, 

And  to  the  loweft  Pit  of  Ruin  damn. 

Thus  doth  it,  by  Commiflion  from  above, 

Deal  with  the  Bride,  when  Heav'n  wou'd  court  her 

Love. 
Lo  !  now  fhe  ftartles  at  the  Sinai  Trump, 
Which  throws  her  Soul  into  a  difmal  Dump. 
Confcious  another  Hufband  fhe  muft  have, 
Elfe  die  for.  ever  in  Deftru&ion's  Grave. 

While  in  Conviction's  Jail  fhe's  thus  inclos'd, 
Glad  News  is  heard,  the  Royal  Mate's  propos'd. 
And  now  the  fcornful  Bride's  inverted  ftir, 
Is  racking  Fear,  he  fcorn  to  match  with  her. 
She  dreads  his  Fury,  and  defpairs  that  he 
Will  ever  wed  fo  vile  a  Wretch  as  fhe. 
And  here,  the  legal  Humour  flirs  again 
To  her  prodigious  Lofs  and  grievous  Pain  : 
For  when  the  Prince  prefents  himfelf  to  be 
Her  Hufband,  then  fhe  deems;   Ah  !  is  not  he 
Too  fair  a  Match  for  fuch  a  filthy  Bride  ? 
Unconfcious  that  the  Thought  bewrays  her  Pride* 
Even  Pride  of  Merit,  Pride  of  Righteoufnefs, 
Expecting  Heav'n  fhould  love  her  for  her  Drefs  ; 
Unmindful  how  the  Fall  her  face  did  ftain, 
And  made  her  but  a  black  unlovely  Swain, 
Her  whole  primeval  Beauty  quite  defac'd, 
And  to  the  Rank  of  Fiends  her  Form  debas'd  j 
Without  disfigur'd,  and  defil'd  within, 
Incapable  of  any  thing  but  Sin, 
Heav'n  courts  not  any  for  their  comely  Face,       ~\ 
But  for  the  glorious  Praife  of  Sovereign  Grace,   C 
E!fe  ne'er  had  courted  ojie  of  Adaris  Race,  3 

Which 


Part  L         The  Believers  KJpoujals.  If 

Which  all  as  Children  of  Corruption  be, 

Heirs  rightful  of  immortal  Mifery. 

Yet  here  the  Bride  employs  her  foolifh  Wit, 

For  this  bright  Match  her  ugly  Form  to  fit  ; 

To  daub  her  Features  o'er  with  legal  Paint, 

That  with  a  Grace  {lie  may  herfelf  prefent. 

Hopeful  the  Prince  with  Credit  might  her  wed, 

If  once  fome  comely  Qualities  fhe  had. 

In  humble  Pride,  her  haughty  Spirit  flags, 

She  cannot  think  of  coming  all  in  Rags. 

Were  fhe  a  humble,  faithful  Penitent, 

She  dreams  he'd  then  contract  with  full  content. 

Bafe  Varlet !  thinks  (he'd  be  a  Match  for  him, 

Did  fhe  but  deck  herfelf  in  handfome  trim. 

Ah  foolifh  Thoughts  !  in  legal  Deeps  that  plod, 

Ah  forry  Notions  of  a  Sovereign  God  ! 

Will  God  expofe  his  great,  his  glorious  Son, 

For  our  vile  Baggage  to  be  fold  and  won  I 

Should  finful  Modefty  the  Match  decline, 

Untill  its  Garb  be  brifk  and  fuperfine ; 

Alas  !  when  mould  we  fee  the  Marriage-Day, 

The  happy  Bargain  muft  flee  up  for  ay* 

Prefumptuous  Souls  in  furly  Modefty, 

Half  Saviours  of  themfelves  wou'd  fondly  be* 

Then  hopeful  th'other  half  their  Due  will  fall, 

Bifdain  to  be  in  Jefus'  Debt  for  all. 

Vainly  they  firft  wou'd  wafh  themfelves,  and  then 

Addrefs  the  Fountain  to;be  wafh'd  more  clean ; 

Firft  heal  themfelves,  and  then  expect:  the  Balm  ; 

Ah  !  many  flightly  cure  their  fudden  Qualm. 

They  heal  their  Confcience  with  a  Tear  or  Pray'i  . 

And  feek  no  other  Chr'tft^  but  perifh  there. 

O  Sinner,  fearch  the  Houfe,  and  fee  the  Thief      -y 

That  fpoils  thy  Saviour's  Crown,  thy  Soul's  relief,  > 

The  hid,  but  heinous  Sin  of  Unbelief.  .> 

Who  can  poflefs  a  Quality  that's  good, 

'Till  iuft  he  come  to  Jefus*  deanting  Blosd  } 

C  Tkc. 


iS         GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

The  Power  that  draws  the  Bride,  will  alfo  {hew* 
Unto  her  by  the  way  her  hellifh  Hue, 
As  void  of  every  Virtue  to  commend, 
And  full  of  every  Vice  that  will  offend. 
'Till  Sovereign  Grace  the  fullen  Bride  fhall  catch, 
She'll  never  fit  herfelf  for  fuch  a  Match. 
Mofl  qualify'd  they  are  in  Heaven  to  dwell, 
Who  fee  themfelves  molt  qualify'd  for  Hell ; 
And  ere  the  Bride  can  drink  Salvation's  Cup, 
Kind  Heaven  mull  reach  to  Hell,  and  lift  her  up  : 
For  no  Decorum  e'er  about  her  found 
Is  file  belov'd,   but  on  a  nobler  Ground. 
^Jehovah's  Love  is  like  his  Nature  free, 
Nor  muft  his  Creature  challenge  his  Decree. 
But  low  at  Sovereign  Grace's  Footftool  creep, 
Whofe  Ways  are  fearchlefs,  and  his  Judgments  deep. 
Yet  Grace's  Suit  meets  with  Refiftance  rude 
From  haughty  Souls  ;   for  lack  of  innate  Good 
To  recommend  them.     Thus  the  backward  Bride 
Affronts  her  Suitor  with  her  modeft  Pride. 
Black  Hatred  for  his  offer'd  Love  repays, 
Pride  under  Mafk  of  Modefty  difplays  ; 
In  part  wou'd  fave  herfelf,  hence  faucy  Soul ! 
Rejects  the  matchlefs  Mate  would  fave  in  whole. 


SECT.     II. 

Conviclion  of  Sin  and  Wrath,  carried  on  more  deeply 
and  effectually  on  the  Heart, 

CO  proudly  forward  is  the  Bride,  and  now 

^  Stern  Heaven  begins  to  ftare  with  cloudier  Brow,; 

Law-Curfes  come  with  more  condemning  Power, 

To  fcorch  her  Confcience  with  a  fiery  Shower, 

And  more  refulgent  Flafhes  darted  in  ; 

For  by  *he  Law  the  Knowledge  is  of  Sin* \ 

Black 
*  Rom,   Hi,  20. 


Part  I.  The  Believer's  EfpoUfals;  t$ 

Black  Sinai  thundering  louder  than  before, 

Does  awful  in  her  lofty  Bofom  roar, 

Heaven's  furious  Storms  now  rife  from  every  %Airth^ 

In  ways  more  terrible  to  /hake  the  Earth  f  j 

bcfill  Hanghtinefs  of  Men  be  funk  thereby ', 

'That  Chrift  alone  may  be  exalted  high. 

Now  fbble  Earth  feems  from  her  Centre  toft, 

And  lofty  Mountains  in  the  Ocean  loft. 

Hard  Recks  of  Flint,  and  haughty  Hills  of  Pride* 

Are  torn  in  pieces  by  the  roaring  Tide. 

Each  Flam  of  new  Conviction's  lucid  Rays 

Heart-Errors  undifcern'd  'till  now  difplays, 

Wrath's  mafly  Cloud  upon  the  Confcience  breaks, 

And  thus  menacing  Heaven,  in  Thunder  fpeaks ; 

6C  Black  Wretch,  thou  madly  under-foot  hath  trod 

"  Th'Authority  of  a  commanding  God  ; 

"  Thou,  like  thy  Kindred  that  in  Adam  fell, 

"  Art  but  a  Law-renverfing  Lump  of  Hell, 

ce  And  there  by  Law  and  Juftice  doom'd  to  dwell. 

Now,  now,  the  daunted  Bride  her  State  bewails, 

And  downward  furls  her  felf-exalting  Sails  ; 

With  pungent  Fear,  and  piercing  Terror  brought* 

To  mortify  her  lofty  legal  Thought. 

Why,  the  Commandment  comes,  Sin  is  reviv'd^ 

That  lay  fo  hid,  while  to  the  Law  fhe  liv'd  $ 

Infinite  Majefty  in  God  is  feen, 

And  infinite  Malignity  in  Sin  : 

That  to  its  Expiation  muft  amount*  ' 

A  Sacrifice  of  infinite  account. 

Juftice  its  dire  Severity  difplays, 

The  Law  its  vaft  Dimenllons  open  la^S; 

She  fees  for  this  broad  Standard  nothing  meet, 

Save  an  Obedience  finlefs  and  complete. 

Her  Cob-web  Righteoufnefs  once  in  Renown/ 

Is  with  a  happy  Vengeance  now  fwep.  down. 

C  2  She 

*  Wind.         f  lfa%  ia,  17,  19, 


2C        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

She  who  of  daily  Faults  could  once  but  prate, 

Sees  now  her  finful,  miferable  State. 

Her  Heart,    where  once  fhe  thought  fome  Good  t# 

dwell, 
The  Devil's  Cab'net  fill'd  with  Tram  of  Hell, 
Her  boafted  Features  now  unmasked  bare, 
Her  vaunted  Hopes  are  plung'd  in  deep  Defpak, 
Her  haunted  Sheiter-houfe  in  by-pah:  Years, 
Comes  tumbling  down  about  her  frighted  Ears. 
Her  former  rotten  Faith,  Love,  Penitence, 
She  fees  a  bowing  JVall^  a  tottering  Fence. 
Excellencies  of  Thought,  and  Word,  and  Deed, 
All  fwimming,  drowning  in  a  Sea  of  Dread  : 
Her  Beauty  now  Deformity  fhe  deems, 
Her  Heart  much  blacker  than  the  Devil  feems, 
With  ready  Lips  fhe  can  herfelf  declare, 
The  vileft  ever  breath'd  in  vital  Air. 
Her  former  Hopes,  as  Refuges  of  Lies, 
Are  fwept  away,  and  all  her  Boafting  dies. 
She  once  imagin'd  Heav'n  would  be  unjuft, 
To  damn  fo  many  Lumps  of  human  Dull: 
Form'd  by  himfelf  j  but  now  fhe  owns  it  true, 
Damnation  furely  is  the  Sinner's  Due : 
Yea,  now  applauds  the  Law's  juft  Doom  fo  well, 
That  juftly  ihe  condemns  herfelf  to  Hell  \ 
Does  herein  divine  Equity  acquit, 
Herfelf  adjudging  to  the  loweft  Pit. 
Her  Language,  "  Oh!  If  God  condemn,  I  muft 
*c  From  bottom  of  my  Soul  declare  him  juft. 
**  But  if  his  great  Salvation  me  embrace, 
<c  How  loudly  will  I  fing  furprifing  Grace  ? 
•*  If  from  the  Pit  he  to  the  Throne  me  raifep 
**  I'll  rival  Angels  in  his  endlefs  Praife, 
4<  If  Hell-deferving  me  to  Heaven  he  bring, 
"  No  Heart  fo  glad,  no  Tongue  fo  loud  fhall  iing- 
•'  If  Wifdom  has  not  laid  the  faving  Plan, 
*'  I  nothing  have  to  cl&jm,  I  nothing  can. 


Part  I.         The  Believer's  Efpoufals,  it 

f(  My  Works  but  Sin,  my  Merit  Death  I  foe, 
ss  Oh  !.  Mercy,  Mercy,  Mercy  \  pity  me." 
Thus  aH  felf-j unifying  Pleas  are  dropp'd, 
Mo'ft  Guilty '{he  becomes,  her  Mouth  is  ftopp'd. 
Pungent  Remorfe  does  her  paft  Conduct  blame, 
And    flufh   her    confcious   Cheek   with  fpreading 

Shame. 
Her  felf-conceited  Heart  is  felf-eonvicl:, 
With  barbed  Arrows  of  Compunction  prick'd  : 
Wonders,  how  Juftice  fpares  her  vital  Breath, 
How  patient  Heav'n  adjourns  the  Day  of  Wrath, 
How  pliant  Earth  does  not  with  open  Jaws 
Devour  her,  Korah-Yike,  for  equal  Caufe ; 
How  yawning  Hell  that  gapes  for  fuch  a  Prey, 
Is  fruftrate  with  a  further  Hour's  delay, 
She  that  could  once  her  mighty  Works  exalt, 
And  boafi  Devotion  fram'd  without  a  Fault ; 
Extol  her  natural  Powers,  is  now  brought  down* 
Her  former  Madnefs,  not  her  Powers,  to  own. 
Her  prefent  beggar'd  State,  moft  void  of  Grace, 
Unable  even  to  wail  her  woful  Cafe, 
Quite  powerlefs  to  believe,  repent,  or  p/ay, 
Thus  Pride  of  Duties  flies  and  dies  away. 
She,  like  a  harden' d  Wretch,  a  ftupid  Stone, 
JLies  in  the  Duft,  and  cries,  Undone,  Undone. 


SECT.     III. 

The  deeply  humbled  Soul  relieved  with  fome  faving 
bifcoveries  gf  Christ  the  Redeemer* 

WHEN    thus   the  wounded   Bride   perceives 
full  well 
Herfelf  the  vileft  Sinner  out  of  Hell, 
The  blackeft  Monfter  in  the  Uniyerfe  5 
Penfive  if  Clouds  of  Wee  fhall  e'er  difperfe. 

C3  Whep     j 


22         GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

When  in  her  Bread  Heav'n's  Wrath  To  fiercely  glows, 
'Twixt  Fear  and  Guilt  her  Bones  have  no  repofe. 
When  flowing  Billows  of  amazing  Dread, 
Swell  to  a  Deluge  o'er  her  finking  Head  ; 
When  nothing  in  her  Heart  is  found  to  dwell, 
But  horrid  Atheifm,  Enmity  and  Hell ; 
When  endlefs  Death  and  Ruin  feem  at  hand, 
And  yet  fhe  cannot  for  her  Soul  command 
A  Sigh  to  eafe  it,  or  a  gracious  1 'bought , 
Tho*  Heav'n  could  at  this  petty  Rate  be  bought. 
When  Darknefs  and  Confufion  overcloud, 
And  unto  black  Defpair  Temptations  croud  ; 
When  wholly  without  Strength  to  move  or  flir, 
And  not  a  Star  by  Night  appears  to  her  : 
But  fhe,  while  to  the  Brim  her  Troubles  flow, 
Stands  trembling  on  the  utmpft  Brink  of  Woe. 
Ah  weary  Cafe  :   But  lo  !   in  this  fad  Plight 
The  Sun  arifes  with  furprifing  Light. 
The  darker!  Midnight  is  his  ufual  Time 
Of  riling  nnd  appearing  in  his  Prime. 
To  fhew  the  Hills  from  whence  Salvation  fprings, 
And  chafe  the  gloomy  Shades  with  golden  Wings* 
The  glorious  Hufband  now  unveils  his  Face, 
And  mews  his  Glory  full  of  Truth  and  Grace  ; 
Prefents  unto  the  Bride  in  that  dark  Hour, 
HimMf  a  Saviour,  both  by  Price  and  Power  : 
A  mighty  Helper  to  redeem  the  Loft, 
Relieve  and  ranfom  to  the  uttermoft. 
To  feck  the  vagrant  Sheep  to  Defarts  driven, 
And  fave  from  lowed  Hell  to  higheft  Heaven. 
Her  doleful  Cafe  he  fees,  his  Bowels  move, 
And  make  her  Time  of  Need  his  Time  of  Love, 
He  fhews,  to  prove  himfelf  her  mighty  Shield, 
His  Name  is  JESUS,  by  his  Father  feal'd  j 
A  Name  with  Attributes  engrav'd  within, 
To  fave  from  every  Attribute  of  Sin. 

With 


Part  I.         The  Believer* s  Efpoufals.  2% 

With  TVifdom  Sin's  great  Folly  to  expofe, 

And  Right  eoufnefs  its  Chain  of  Guilt  to  loofe, 

Sanclifcation  to  fubdue  its  Sway, 

Redemption  all  its  woful  Brood  to  flay. 

Each  golden  Letter  of  his  glorious  Name, 

Bears  full  Deliv'rance  both  from  Sin  and  Shame. 

Yea,  not  Privation  bare  from  Sin  and  Woe,        O 

But  thence  all  pofitive  Salvations  flow,  P" 

To  make  her  wife,jujl,  holy,  happy  too.  -X 

He  now  appears  a  Match  exactly  meet, 

To  make  her  every  way  in  him  complete, 

In  whom  the  Fulnefs  of  the  Godhead  dwells, 

That  ihe  may  boafr.  in  him,  and  nothing  elfe. 

In  Gofpel-Lines  fhe  now  perceives  the  Dawn 

Of  J  ejus''  Love  with  bloody  Pencil  drawn  ; 

How  God  in  him  is  infinitely  pleas'd, 

And  Heav'n's  revenging  Fury  whole  appeas'd  : 

Law-Precepts  magnify'd  by  her  Belov'd,  ' 

And  ev'ry  Let  to  flop  the  Match  remov'd. 

Now  in  her  View  her  Prifon-gates  break  ope, 

Wide  to  the  Walls  flies  up  the  Door  of  Hope, 

And  now  fhe  fees  with  Pleafure  unexprefs'd 

For  fhatter'd  Barks  a  happy  Shore  of  Reft. 


SECT.     IV. 

The  Workings  of  the  Spirit  of  Faith  in  feparating  the 
Heart  from .  all  Self -Right  eoufnefs,  and  drawing  out 
its  Confent  to,  and  Deftre  after  CHRIST  alone 
and  wholly, 

*TTHE  Bride  at  Sinai  little  underftood,  < 

*-     How  thefe  Law-Humblings  were  defign'd  / 

for  good,  r* 

T*  enhance  the  Value  of  her  Hufband's  Blood.  > 

C  4  The 


*4      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

The  Tower  of  tottering  Pride  thus  batter' d  downa 
Makes  way  for  Chriil  alone  to  wear  the  Crown. 
Conviction's  Arrows  pierc'd  her  Heart  that  fo, 
The  Blood  from  his  pierc'd   Heart  to    her's  might 

flow. 
The  Law's  fliarp  Plough  tears  up.  theFaliow-Ground* 
Where  not  a  Grain  of  Grace  was  to  be  found, 
Till  ftraight  perhaps  behind  the  Plough  is  iown, 
The  hidden  Seed  of  Faith  as  yet  unknown. 
Hence  now  the  once  reluctant  Rride's  inclin'd 
To  give  the  Gofpel  an  ajj'enting  Mind, 
Difpos'd  to  take,  would  Grace  the  Pow*r  impart^ 
Heav'n's  Offer  with  a  free  confcnting  Heart. 
His  Spirit  in  the  Gofpel-Chariot  rides, 
And  (hews  his  loving  Heart  to  draw  the  Bride's  > 
Tho'  oft  in  Clouds  his  drawing  Pow'r  he  hides. 
His  Love  in  gracious  Offers  to  her  bears, 
In  kindly  Anfwers  to  her  Doubts  and  Fears, 
Refolving  all  Objections  more  or  lefs 
From  former  Sins,  or  prefent  Worthleflhefs, 
Persuades  her  Mind  of 's  conjugal  Confent, 
And  then  impowers  her  Heart  to  fay,  Content. 
Content  to  be  divorced  from  the  Law, 
No  more  the  Yoke  of  legal  Terms  to  draw. 
Content  that  he  difTolve  the  former  Match, 
And  to  himfelf  alone  her  Heart  attach. 
Content  to  join  with  Chrijl  at  any  rate. 
And  wed  him  as  her  everlafting  Mate. 
Content  that  he  fhou.ld  ever  wear  the  Bays* 
And  of  her  whole  Salvation  have  the  Praife. 
Content  that  he  mould  rife,  tho'  fhe  mould  fa#, 
And  to  be  Nothing,  that  he  may  be  All. 
Content  that  he,  becaufe  fhe  nought  can  do^ 
Do  for  her  all  her  Work,  and  in  her  too. 
Here  fhe  a  peremptory  Mind  difplays, 
That  he  do  all  the  Work,  get  all  the  Praife. 

A*d 


Part  I.       The  Believer's  Efpufah.  t$ 

And  now  fhe  is^  which  ne'er  till  now  took  place, 
Content  intirely  to  be  fav'd  by  Grace. 
She  owns  that  her  Damnation  juft  would  bes 
And  therefore  her  Salvation  muff,  be  free  : 
That  nothing  being  hers  but  Sin  and  Thrall, 
She  muft  be  Debtor  unto  Grace  for   All. 

Hence  comes  fhe  to  him  in  her  naked  Cafe? 
To  be  inverted  with  his  Righteoumeis. 
She  comes  as  guilty u  to  a  Pardon  free  5 
As  vile  zndjihby  to  a  cleanfingSea  : 
As  poor  and  empty,  to  the  richeft  Stock  ; 
As  weak  and  feeble,  to  the  ftrongeft  Rock  : 
As  perifhing,   unto  a  Shield  from  Thrall  \ 
As  worfe  than  Nothing  to  an  All  in  All. 
She,  as  a  blinded  Mole,  an  ignorant  Fool, 
Comes  for  Inftruction  to  the  Prophet's  School, 
§he,  with  a  Hell-deferving  confcious  Breaft, 
Flees  for  Atonement  to  the  worthy  Priefi. 
She,  as  a  Slave  to  Sin  and  Satan,  wings 
Her  Flight  for  Help  unto  the  King  of  Kings. 
She  all  her  Maladies  and  Plagues  brings  forth' 
j  To  this  Phyfician  of  eternal  Worth, 
She  fpreads  before  his  Throne  her  filthy  Sore, 
And  lays  her  broken  Bones  down  at  his  Door. 
No  Mite  me  has  to  buy  a  Crumb  of  Blifs, 
And  therefore  comes  impoveriuVd  as  me  is.    ^ 
By  Sin  and  Satan  of  all  Good  bereft,  ^ 

Comes  e'en  as  bare  as  they  her  Soul  have  hft. 
To  Senfe,   as  free  of  Holinefs  •  within, 
As  Cbri/l,  the  fpotlefs  Lamb,  was  free  of  Sin. 
§he  comes  by  Faith,  true  ;  but  it  fhews  her  Wanf^ 
And  brings  her  as  a  Sinner,  not  a  Saint, 
A  wretched  Sinner  flying  for  her  Good 
To  Juftifying,  Sanctifying  Blood. 
Strong  Faith  noStrength  nor  Power  of  acting  vaunts^ 
But  acts  in  Senfe  «f  Weaknefs  and  of  Wants. 

Drain'd 


±6       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

Drain'd  now  of  every  Thing  that  Men  may  call  -j 
Terms  and  Conditions  of  Relief  from  Thrall ;  C 
Except  this  one,  that  Jesus  be  her  All.  3 

When  to  the  Bride  he  gives  efpoufing  Faith, 
It  finds  her'under  Sin  and  Guilt  and  Wrath, 
And  makes  her  as  a  plagued  Wretch  to  fall 
At  Jefus'  Footftool  for  the  Cure  of  All. 
Her  whole  Salvation    now  in  him  {he  feeks, 
And  mufing  thus  perhaps  in  fecret  fpeaks. 

"  Lo  !  all  my  Burdens  may  in  him  be  eas'd  ; 
"  The  Juftice  I  offended   he  has  pleas' d  j 
"  The  Blifs  that  I  have  forfeit   he  procur'd  ; 
"  The  Curfe  that  I  deferved    he  endur'd  ; 
"  The  Law  that  I  have  broken  he  obey'd  ; 
"  The  Debt  that  I  contracted  he  has  paid  : 
"  And  tho'   a  Match  unfit  for  him  I  be, 
"  I  find  him  every  Way  raoft  fit  for  me. 

"  Sweet  Lord,    I   think,  wouldft  thou   thy  felf 
impart, 
"  I'd  welcome  thee  with  open  Hand  and  Heart ; 
cc  But  thou  that  fav'fl  by  Price,  muft  fave  by  Power  ; 
*c  O  fend  thy  Spirit  in  a  fiery  Shower, 
"  This  cold  and  frozen  Heart  of  mine  to  thaw, 
"  That  nought, faveCords  of  burning  Love, can  d  raw. 
"  O  draw  me  Lord,  then  will  I  run  to  thee, 
"  And  glad  into  thy  glowing  Bofom  flee. 
"  I  own  myfelf  a  Mafs  of  Sin  and  Hell, 
"  A  Brat  that   can  do  nothing  but  rebel : 
"  But  didji  thou  not,  as  facred  Pages  fhew,* 
<c  (When  rifing  up  to  fpoil  the  Hellifh  Crew, 
"  That  had  by  Thoufands,  Sinners  captive  made, 
"  And  hadft  in  conquering  Chains  them  captive  led) 
<c  Get  Donatives,  not  for  thy  proper  Gain, 
<c  But  Royal  Bounties  for  rebellious  Men, 
"  Gifts,   Graces,  and  the  Spirit  without  Bounds. 
<c  For  God's  new  Houfe  with  Man  on  firmer  Grounds, 

0 

*  Pfal.  lxviii.  18. 


Part  I.       The  Believers  Efpouf ah.  27 

"  O  then  let  me  a  Rebel  now  come    fpeed, 

<<  Thy   holy  Spirit   is  the  Gift  I  need. 

cc  His   precious  Graces  too,    the  glorious  Grant, 

"  Thou  kindly  prcmis'd,  and  I  greatly  want. 

"  Thou  art  exalted  to  the  higheir.  Place, 

*'  To  givs  Repentance  forth-,  and  every  Grace. 

"  O  Giver  of  Spiritual  Life  and  Breath, 

"  The  Author  and  the  Finijher  of  Faith  ; 

<c  Thou,  Hufoaud-like,  muft  every  Thing  provide, 

"  If  e'er  the  like  of  me  become  thy  Bride." 


SECT.     V. 

Faith's  View  of  the  Freedom  of  Grace,  cordial  Renun- 
ciation of  all  its  own  Ragged  Right  eoufnefs,  and 
Formal  Acceptance  of  and  Clofeng  with  the  Ferfon 
of  Glorious  Christ. 

'"jTHE  Bride  with  open  Eyes  that  once  were  dim5 
"7     Sees  now  her  whole  Salvation  lies  in  him  ; 
The  Prince,  .who  is  not  in  difpenfing  nice, 
But  freely  gives  without  her  Pains  or  Price. 
This  magnifies  the  Wonder  in  her  Eye, 
Who  not  a  Farthing  has  wherewith  to  buy  -9 
For  now  her  humbled  Mind  can  difavow 
Her  boafled  Beauty  and  affirming  Brow, 
"With  confcious  Eye  difcern  her  Emptinefs, 
With  candid  Lips  her  Poverty  confefs. 
•'  O  Glory  to  the  Lord  that  Grace  is  free, 
<4  Elfe  never  would  it  light  on  guilty  me. 
<c  I  nothing  have  v/ith  me   to  be  its  Price, 
■ c  But  hellifh  Blacknefs,  Enmity  and  Vice. 
In  former  Times  fhe  durft  prefuming  come, 
To  Grace's  Market  with  a  petty  Sum 
Of  Duties,  Prayers,  Tears,   a  boafted  Set, 
Expecting;  Heaven  would  thus  be  in  hej  D&bt. 
'  to  Thefe 


2$      g/ost^el  sonnets. 

TLefe  were  the  Price,  at  leaft  (he  did  fuppofe, 

She'd  be  the  welcomer  becaufe  of  thofe  : 

But  now  fhe  fees  the  Vilenefs  of  her  Vogue, 

The  Dung  that  clofe  doth  every  Duty  clog, 

7  'he  Sin  that  doth  her  Holinefs  reprove, 

The  Enmity  that  clofe  attends  her  Love, 

The  great  Heart- hard  nefs  of  her  Penitence, 

The  ftupid  Dulnefs  of  her  vaunted  Senfe, 

The  Unbelief  of  former  blazed  Faith, 

The  utter  Nothingnefs  of  all   fhe  hath. 

The  Blacknefs  of  her  Beauty  me  can  fee, 

The  pompous  Pride  of  ftrain'd  Humility, 

The  Naughtinefs  of  all  her  Tears  and  Prayers  y 

And  now  renounces  All   as  worthlefs  Wares  ; 

And  finding  nothing  to  commend  herfelf, 

But  what  might  damn  her,  her  embezled  Pelf  ;• 

At  Sovereign  Grace's  Feet  does  proftrate  fall, 

Content  to  be  in  Jefus'  Debt  for  All. 

Her  noifed  Virtues  vanifh  out  of  Sight, 

As  ftarry  Tapers  at  Meridian  Light ; 

While  fweetly,  humbly  fhe  beholds  at  length, 

Chrift,  as  her  only  Righteoufnefs  and  Strength. 

He  with  the  View  throws  down  his  loving  Dart, 

Impreft  with  Power  into  her  tender  Heart. 

The  deeper  that  the  Law's  fierce  Dart  was  thrown, 

The  deeper  now  the  Dart  of  Love  goes  down  :    . 

Hence  fweetly  pain'd,  her  Cries  to  Heaven  do  flee ; 

f*  O  none  but  Jefus^  none  but  Chrtfl  for  me  ! 

xc  O  glorious  Chriji^  O  Beauty,  Beauty  rare  ! 

Ki  Ten  Thoufand  Thoufand  Heav'ns  are  not  fo  fair, 

ic  In  him  at  once  all  Beauties  meet  and  fhine, 

*'  The  White  and  Ruddy,  Human  and  Divine, 

*c  As  in  his  low,  he's  m  his  high  Abode, 

*c  The  brighteft  Image  of  the  unfeen  God. 

<c  How  juftly  do  the  "Harpers  fing  above, 

u  His  Doing,  Dying,  Rifing,  Reigning  Love. 

-         -  «  How 


Part  L       The  Bel: ever9 s  Efpufals.  29 

Xc  How  juftly  does  he$  when  his  Work  is  done, 
*c  PofTefs  the  Centre  of  his  Father's  Throne  ? 
"  How  juftly  do  his  awful  Throne  before, 
"  Seraphick  Armies  proftrate,  him  adors  ; 
ic  That's  both  by  Nature  and  Donation  crvwn'd, 
*c  With  all  the  Grandeur  of  the  Godhead  ^ound  F 
"  But  v/ilt  thou,  LojjJ,  in  very  deed  com  -  dwell] 
et  With  me,  that  was  a  burning  Brand  of    T  11 f 
**  With  me  fo  juftly  reckon'd  worfe  and  leis 
*'  Than  Infect,  Mite, "or  Atom  canexprefs? 
*'  Wilt  thou  debafe  thy  high  Imperial  Form, 
*'  Was  in  deep  Love  to  feek  and  fave  the  Loft:: 
"  To  match  with  fuch  a  mortal,  crawling  Worm  f 
"  Yea,  fure  thine  Errand  to  our  Earthly  Coaft, 
"  And  fince  thou  deign'ft  the  like  of  me  towed, 
"  O  come  and  make  my  Heart  thy  Marriage-Bed, 
*c  Fair  Jefas,  wilt  thou  marry  filthy  me  ! 
*'  Amen,  Amen,  Amen  3    fo  let  it  be. 

CHAR    III. 

The  Fruits  of  the  Believer's  Marriage  with 
C h  k- ist,  particularly  Gofpel - Holinefs 
and  Obedience  to  tht  Law  as  a  Rule. 


S  EC  T.    L 

Tlot  fiuect  Solemnity  of  the  Marriage   now  over,  and 
the  fad  Effetts  of  the  Remains  of  a  legal  Spirit. 

'"FH  E  Match  is  made,  with  little  Din  'tis  done* 
-*-     But  with  great  Power,  unequal  Prizes  won. 
The  Lamb  has  fairly  won  his  worthlefs  Bride  j 
3H  her  great  Lord,  and  all  his  Store  beiide. 


He 


5o        GOSPEL  SONNETS. 

He  made  the  pooreft  Bargain,  tho'  moft  Wife, 
And  She  the  Fooi,  has  won  the  worthy  Prize. 

Deep  Floods  of  everlafting  Love  and  Grace, 
That  under  Ground   ran  an  Eternal  Space, 
Now  rife  aloft  'bove  Banks  of  Sin  and  Hell, 
And  o'er  the  Tops  of  maiTy  Mountains  fwell. 
In  Streams  of  Blood  are  T#wers  of  Guilt  o'erflowri* 
Down  with  the  rapid  purple  Current  thrown. 

The  Bride  now,  as  her  All  can  Jefus  own, 
And  proftrate  at  his  Footilool    caft  her  Crown, 
Difclaiming  all  her  former  groundlefs  Hope,  * 
While  in  the  Dark  her  Soul   did  weary  grcne. 
Down  tumble  all  the  Hills  of  Self-conceit, 
In  him  alone  fhe  fees  herfelf  complete  ; 
Does  his  fair  Perfon  with  fond  Arms  embrace, 
And  all  her  Hopes  on  his  full  Merit  place  ; 
Difcard  her  former  Mate,  and  henceforth  draw" 
No  Hope,  no  Expectation    from  the  Law. 

Tho'  thus  her  new-created  Nature  foars, 
And  lives  aloft  on  Jefus*  heavenly  Stores ; 
Yet  apt  to  ftray,  her  old  aduk'rous  Heart 
Oft  takes  her  old  renounced  Husband's  part : 
A  legal  Cov'nant  is  fo  deep  ingrain'd 
Upon  the  human  Nature   laps'd  and  {lain'd, 
That  'till  her  Spirit  mount  the  pureft  Clime* 
She's  never  totally  divore'd   in  Time. 
Hid  in  her  corrupt  Part's  proud  Bofom  lurks, 
Some  Hope  of  Life   ftill  by  the  Law  of  Works. 

Hence  flow  the  following  Evils  more  or  lefs  ;    -y 
Preferring  oft  her    partial   holy  Drefs,  C 

Before  her  Hufband's   perfect  Righteoufnefs.  j> 

Hence  joying  more  in  Grace  already  gi\  en, 
Than  in  her  Head  and  Stock  that's  all  in  Heaven.  . 

Hence  grieving   more    the  want  of  Frames  and 
Grace, 
Than  of  himfelf  the  Spring  of  all  Solace. 

Hence   * 


Part  I.         The  Believer's  Efpoufals.  31 

Hence  Guilt  her  Soul  imprifons,  Lufts  prevail,  , 

While  to  the  Law  her  Rents  infolvent  fail,  / 

And  yet  her  faithlefs  Heart  rejects  her  Hufband's^ 

Bail.  > 

Hence  Scul-Diforders  rife,  and  racking  Fears, 
While  doubtful  of  his  clearing  part  Arrears. 
Vain  dreaming,  fince  her  own  Obedience  faii6, 
His  likewife  little   for  her  Help  avails. 

Hence  Duties  are  a  Talk,  while  all  in  View 
Is  heavy  Yokes  of  Laws,  or  old  or   new  : 
Whereas,   were  once  her  legal  Biafs  broke, 
She'd  find  her  Lord's  Commands  an  eafy  Yoke. 
No  galling  Precepts    on  her  Neck  he  h.\  s, 
Nor  any  Debt  demands,  fave  what  he  pays 
By  promis'd  Aid  :  But  lo  !   the  grievous  Law 
Demanding  Brick,  won't  aid  her  with  a  Straw. 

Hence  alfo  fretful  Grudging,  Difcontent,  -> 

Crav'd  by  the  Law,  finding  her  Treafure  fpent,   C 
And  doubting  if  her  Lord  will  pay  the  Rent.        3 

Hence  Pride  of  Duties  too  does  often  fwell9 
Prelum ing  fhe  perform'd  fo  very  well. 

Hence  Pride  of  Graces  and  inherent  Worth, 
Springs  from  her  corrupt   legal  Biafs  forth  j 
And  boafling  more  a  prefent  withering  Frame, 
Than  her  exalted  Lord's  unfading  Name. 

Hence  many  Falls  and  Plunges  in  the  Mire, 
As  many  new  Converfions  do  require  : 
Becaufe  her  faithlefs  Hearts  fad  Follies  breed. 
Much  lewd  Departure  from  her  living  Head, 
Who  to  reprove  her  aggravated  Crimes, 
Leaves  her  abandon'd  to  herfelf  at  Times  ; 
That  falling  into  frightful  Deeps,    fhe  may 
From  fad  Experience  learn  more  Strefs  to  lay, 
Not  on  her  native  Efforts  ;  but  at  length 
3n  Chrift  alone,  her  Righteoufnefs  and  Strength  : 
^onfcious  while  in  her  Works  me  feeks  Repofe, 
rler  legal  Spirit  breeds  her  many  Woes. 

SECT, 


32  GU^^iii,     5UNJNJ1TS. 


SECT.    It 

Faith's  Victories  over  Sin  and  Satan,  through  new 
and  farther  Difcoverisi  of  Christ,  making 
Believers  more  fruitful  in  HoUnefs  than  all  other 
Pretenders  to  Works. 


HTH  E    Gofpel-Path    leads   Heavenward,    hence 
-■*  the  Fray, 

Hell-Powers  ftill  pufh  the  Bride  the  Legal-Way* 
So  hot  the  War,  her  Life's  a  troubled  Flood, 
A  Field  of  Battle,  and  a  Scene  of  Blood. 
But  he  that  onee  commene'd  the  Work  in  her, 
Whofe  Working  Fingers  drop  the  fweeteft  Myrrhe* 
Will  ftill  advance  it  by  alluring  Force, 
And,  from  her  ancient  Mate,  more  clean  divorce  i 
Since  jtk  her  antiquated  Spoufe  the  Law, 
The  Strength  of  Sin  and  Hell  did  on  her  draw. 
Piece-meal  (he  finds  Hell's  mighty  Force  abate, 
By  new  Recruits  from  her  Almighty  Mate. 
Frefh  Armour  fent  from  Grace's  Magazine, 
Makes  her  proclaim  Eternal  War    with  Sin. 
The  Sliield  of  Faith  dipt  in  the  Suretv's  Blood* 
DroWns  fiery  Darts,  as  in  a  crimfon  flood. 
The  Captain's  ruddy  jBanner  lifted  high, 
Makes  Hell  retire  and  all  the  Furies  fly. 
Yea,  of  his  Glory  every  recent  Glance, 
Makes  Sin  decay,  and  Ho'inefs  advance. 
In  Kindnefs  therefore   does  her  heav'nly  Lord 
Renew'd  Difcovefies  of  his  Love  arrord, 
That  her  enamour'd  Soul  may  with  the  View, 
Be  caft  into  his  holy  Mould  anew : 
For  when  he  manifefts  his  glorious  Grace, 
The  fmiling  Favour  of  his  .fmiling  Face, 

Intt 


P a  R t  -I .  The  Believers  EfpGufals.  j  3 

Into  his  Image  fair  transforms  her  Soul,* 
And  wafts  her  upward   to    the  Heav'nly  Pole, 
From  Glory  unto  Glory   by  Degrees, 
Till  Vifion  and  Fruition  (hail  fafEce, 
And  thus  in  holy  Beauty  Jefu?  Bride 
Shines  far  beyond  the  painted  Sons  of  Pride, 
Vain  Merit- Vouchers,  and  their   fubtle  Apes^ 
In  all  their  moft  refin'd,  delufive  (napes. 
No  lawful  Child   is  e'er  the  Marriage  born, 
Tho'  therefore  Virtues  feign'd  their  Life  adorn* 
The  Fruit  they  bear  is  but  a  Ipurious  Brood, 
Before  this  happy  Marriage  be  made  good. 
And  'tis  not  ftrange,    for  from  a  corrupt  'Tree 
No  Fruit  divinely  good  produced  can  be. 
But  lo,  the  Bridegraft  in  the  living  Root, 
Brings  forth  moft  precious  aromatick  Fruit. 
When 'her  new  Heart  and  her  new  Hufband  meet* 
Her  fruitful  Womb  is  like  a  Heap  of  Wheats 
Befet  with  fragrant  Lillie's  round  about,  j| 
All  divine  Graces,   in  a  comely  Rout, 
Burning  within,  and  (tuning  bright  without. 
And  thus  the  Bride,  as  facred  Scripture  faith, 
When  dead  unto  the  Law  thro'  Jefus'  Death,  % 
And  matched  with  him,  bears  to  her  God  and  Lord 
Accepted  Fruit  with  Incenfe  pure  decor' d. 
"reecl  from  Law-debt,  and  bled:  with  Gofpel-eafe, 
rier  Work-  is  now  her  deareft  Lord  to  pleafe, 
By  living  on  him   as  her  ample  Stock, 
\nd  leaning  to  him   as  her  petent  Rock. 
The  Fruit,  that  each  Law- wedded  Mortal  brings, 
To  Self  accreafes,  as  from  Self  it  fprings. 
o  bafe  a  Rife  rnuft  have  a  bafe  Recourfe, 
Hie  Stream  can  mount  no  higher  than  its  Source;, 
>ut  yefus  can  his  Bride's  fweet  Fruit  commend, 
is  brought  from  him  the  Root,  to  him  the  End. 
D  She 

yfe*  2  Cor.  iii.  18,    ||  Cant,  vif.  2,    %  &nl-  v^«4' 


34        GOSPEL  SONNETS* 

She  does  by  fuch  an    Offspring  him   avow, 
To  be  her  ALPHA  and   OMEGA  too. 
The  Work  and  Warfare  he  begins,  he  crowns, 
Tho',  maugre  various  Conflicts,  Ups  and  Downs, 
Thus,  thro'  the  darkfom  Vail  fhe  makes  her  Way, 
Until  the  Morning  Dawn  of  Glory's  Day. 


SECT.    III. 

True  faving  Faith  magnifying  the  Law,  both  as  a 
Covenant  and  a  Rule.  Falfe  Faith  unfruitful  and 
ruining. 

T3ROUD  Nature  may  reject  this  Gofpel  Theme, 
-"-     And  curfe  it  as  an  Antinomian  Scheme. 
Let  Slander  bark,  let  Envy  grin  and  fight, 
The  Curfe  that  is  fo  caufelefs  {hall  not  light. 
If  they  that  fain  would  make  by  holy  Force, 
'Twixt  Sinners  and  the  Law  a  clean  Divorce, 
And  court  the  Lamb  a  Virgin  chafte  to  Wife, 
Be  charg'd  as  Foes  to  Holinefs  of  Life, 
Well  may  they  fuffer  gladly  on  this  Score, 
Apoftles  great  were  fo  malign'd  before. 
Do  we  make  void  the  Lavj  through  Faith  ?  nay;  why, 
We  do  it  more  fulfil  and  magnify, 
Than  fiery  Seraphs  can  with  holieft  Flam  ; 
Avant,  vain  Legalifts,   unworthy  Trafh. 

When  as  a  Cov'nanf  ftern  the  Law  commands, 
Faith  puts  her  Lamb's  Obedience  in  its  Hands  : 
And  when  its  Threats  gu(h  out  a  fiery  Flood, 
Faith  flops  the  Current  with  her  Victim's  Blood. 
The  Law  can  crave  no  more,  yet  craves  no  lefs, 
Than  active,  paflive,  perfect  Righteoufnefs. 
Yet  here  is  all,   yea  more  than  its  Demand, 
All  render'd  to  it  by  a  Divine  Hand. 

Mankin< 


Part  I.         The  Believer's  Efpoufals.  %g 

Mankind  is  bound  Law-fervice  ftill  to  pay, 
Yea  Angel-kind   is  alfo  bound  t'obey. 
It  may  by  Human  and  Angelick  Blaze 
Have  Honour,  but  in  finite  partial  Ways. 
Thefe  Natures  have  its  Luftre  once  defac'd. 
'Twill  be  by  part  of  both  for  ay  difgrac'd,. 
Yet  had  they  all  obfequious  flood  and  true, 
They'd  given  the  Law  no  more  than  Homage  due. 
But  Faith  gives't  Honour  yet  more  great,  moreodd^ 
The  high,  the  humble  Service  of  its  God. 

Again  to  view  the  holy  Law's  Command, 
As  lodged   in  a  Mediator's  Hand  j 
Faith  gives  it  Honour,  as  a  Rule  of  Life, 
And  makes  the  Bride  the  Lamb's  obedient  Wife. 
Due  Homage  to  the  Law  thofe  never  did, 
To  whom  th'  Obedience  pure  of  Faith  is  hid. 
Faith  works  by  Lovei   and  purifies  the  Hearty 
And  Truth  advances  in  the  inward  Part ; 
On  carnal  Hearts  imprefTes  divine  Stamps, 
And  fully'd  Lives  inverts  to  mining  Lamps. 
From  Abrarrfs  Seed   that  are  moft  ftrong  in  Faith, 
The  Law  moft  Honour,  God  moft  Glory  hath. 
But  due  Refpect   to  neither  can  be  found,  -^ 

Where  Unbelief  ne'er  got  a  mortal  Wound$         C 
To  ftill  the  Virtue- vaunter's  empty  Sound.  3 

Good  Works  he  boafts,  a  Path  he  never  trodj 
Who  is  not  yet  the  Workmanfoip  of  God  s  * 
In  Jefus  thereunto  created  new, 
Nois'd  Works  that  fpring  not  hence  are  but  a  Shew* 
True  Faith  that's  of  a  noble  divine  Race, 
Is  ftill  a  holy,  fanclifying  Grace  ; 
And  greater  Honour  to  the  Law  does  fliare* 
Tr.an  Boafters  all  that  breathe  the  vital  Air. 
E'en  Heathen  Morals  vaftly  may  out-mine 
The  Works  that  flow  not  from  a  Faith  divine* 

D  2  Pretenfjons 

*  Eph>  ii.  10* 


36        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

Pretenfiofts  high  to  Faith  a  Number  have, 
But  ah  !   it  is  a  Faith   that  cannot  fave  : 
"  We  truji,   fay  they,  in  Chrift,  we  hope  in  God, 
Nor  blulh  to  blaze  their  rotten  Faith  abroad. 
Nor  try  the  Truit.  of  which  they  make  a  Shew, 
If  of  a  Saving  or  a  Damning  Hue. 
They  own  their  Sins  are  ill  ;   true,   but  'tis  fad 
They  never  thought  their  Faith  and  Hope  were  bad. 
How  evident's  their  hpme-bred  nat'ral  Blaze, 
Who  dream  they  have  belie  v'd  well  all  their  Days  ; 
Yet  never  felt  their  Unbelief,  nor  knew 
The  Need  of  Power  their  Natures  to  renew  ! 
Blind  Souls  that  boafl  of  Faith,   yet  live  in  Sin. 
May  hence  conclude  their  Faith  is  to  begin  : 
Or  know  they  fhall,  by  fuch  an  airy  Faith, 
Believe   themfelves  to  everlafting  Wrath. 
Faith  that  nor  leads  to  good,  nor  keeps  from  ///, 
Will  never  lead  to  Heav'n,   nor  keep  from  Hell. 
The  Body  without  Breath  is  dead  ;  *  no  lefs 
Is  Faith  without  the  Works  of  Holinefs. 
Haw  rare  is  faving  Faith,   when  Earth  is  cramm'd, 
With  fuch  as  will  believe  and  yet  be  damn'd  ; 
Believe  the  Gofpel,  yet  with  dread  and  awe 
Have  never  truly  hrft  believ'd  the  Law. 
That  Matters  fnall  be  well,  they  hope  too  foon, 
Who  never  yet  have  feen  they  were  undone. 
Can  of  Salvation   their  Belief  be  true. 
Who  never  yet  believ'd  Damnation  due  ? 
Can  thefe  of  endlefs  Life  have  folid  Faith, 
Who  never  fear'd  Law-Threats  of  endlefs  Death  ? 
Nay,  fail'd  they  ha'nt  yet  to  the  healing  Shore, 
Who  never  felt  their  finful,   woful  Sore. 

Imaginary  Faith   is  but  a  Blind, 
That  bears  no  IJruit  but  of  a  deadly  kind  ; 
Nor  can  from/^ch  a  wild  unwholfom  Root, 
The  leaft  Produdion  rife  of  living  Fruit. 

Bufp 

*  Jam,  Vv,  26. 


Part  I.         The  Believer's  Efpoufals.  37 

But  faving  Faith  can  fuch  an  Offspring  breed, 
Her  native  Product  is  a  holy  Seed. 
The  fairefl  IfTues  of  the  vital  Breath, 
Spring  from  the  fertile  Womb  of  Heav'n-born  Faith , 
Yet  boafts  fhe  nothing;  of  her  own,  but  brings 
Auxiliaries  from  the   King  of  Kings, 
Who  graves  his  royal  Law  in  rocky  Hearts,' 
And  gracious  Aid  in  foft'ning  Showers  imparts  : 
Thus  gives  prolific  Virtue  to  the  Faith, 
Infpir'd  at  firft  by  his  almighty  Breath. 
Hence  fetching  all  her  Succours   from  abroad, 
She  ftill  employs  this  mighty  Power  of  GOD. 
Drain'd  clean  of  native  Powers  and  legal  Aims, 
No  Strength  but  in  and  from  Jehovah  claims. 
And  thus  her  Service  to  the  Law  o'ertops 
The  towering  Zeal  of  Pharifaick  Fops. 


SECT.     IV. 

Tfje  Believer  only,  being  married  to  Christ,  is 
jujtified  and  fanclified  ;  and  the  more  Gofpel  Free- 
dom from  the  Law  as  a  Covenant,  the  more  holy 
Conformity  to  it  as  a  Rule. 

THUS  doth  the  Hufband  by  his  Father's  Will, 
■-     "Both  for  and  in  his  Bride  the  Law  fulfil : 
For  her,  as   'tis  a  Covenant,  and  then 
In  her,  as    'tis  a  Rule  of  Life  to  Men, 
Firft  all  I^aw-Dcbt  he  moil  completely  pays, 
Then  of  Law-Duties  all  the  Charge  defrays. 
Does  firft  a  flu  me  her  Guilt,  and  loofe  her  Chains, 
\nd  then  with  living  Water  warn  her  Stains  \ 
■ler  Fund  reftore,  and  then  her  Form  repair, 
\nd  make  his  filthy  Bride  a  Beauty  fair  ; 
lis  per  feci:  Righteoufnefs  moft  freely  grant, 
\ud  then  his  holy  Image  deep  implant. 

D  3  Iniq 


38        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

Into  her  Heart  his  precious  Seed  in-drop, 
Which  in  his  Time  will  yield  a  glorious  Crop. 
But  by  alternate  Turns  his  Plants  he  brings, 
Through  robbing  Winters  and  repairing  Springs. 
Hence  pining  oft,  they  fuffer  fad  Decays, 
By  dint  of  fhady  Nights  and  ftormy  Days. 
But  bleft  with  Sap,  and  Influence  from  above, 
They  live  and  grow  anew  in  Faith  and  Love  ; 
Until   tranfplanted    to  the  higher  Soil, 
Where  Furies  tread  no  more,  nor  Foxes  fpoil. 
While  Chrift,  the  living  Root,  remains  on  high, 
The  noble  Plant  of  Grace  can  never  die  ; 
Nature  decays,  and   fo  will  all  the  Fruit 
That  meerly  rifes  on  a  mortal  Root. 
Their  Works,  however  fplendid,  are  but  dead, 
j  That  from  a  living  Fountain  don't  proceed  ; 
Their  faireft  Fruit    is  but  a  garnifh'd  Shrine, 
That  are  not  grafted  in  the  glorious  Vine. 
Devouteft  Hypocrites   are  rank'd  in  Rolls 
Of  painted  Puppets,  not  of  living  Souls. 

No  Offspring  but  of  Chrift's  fair  Bride  is  good, 
This  happy  Marriage  has  a  holy  Brood. 
Let  Sinners  learn  this  Myftery  to  read,  > 

We  bear  to  glorious  Chrift  no  precious  Seed,        C 
'Till  through  the  Laiv,  we  to  the  Law  be  dead,*      ^ 
No  true  Obedience  to  the  Law  but  forc'd, 
Can  any  yield  'till  from  the  Law  divorc'd. 
Nor  to  it,  as  a  Rule,  is  Homage  given, 
Till  from  it,  as  a  Covenant,  Men  be  driven. 
Yea  more,    till  once  they  this  Divorce  attain, 
Divorce  from  Sin  they   but  attempt  in  vain  -, 
The  curfed  Yoke  of  Sin  they  bafely  draw, 
'Till  once  unyoked    from  the  curfing  Law. 
Sin's  full  Dominion  keeps  its  native  Place, 
While  Men  are  under  Law*  not  under  Grace.]* 

Fo  W 

*  Gal.  u.  19. 
■\Rm*  vii  J4i 


Part  I.         The  Believer's  Efpoufals.  39 

For  mighty  Hills  of  Enmity   won't  move, 

'Till  touch'd  by  conquering  Grace  and  mighty  Love, 

Were  but  the  Gofpel-fecret  underftood, 
How  GOD  can  pardon  where  he  fees  no  Good  ; 
How  Grace  and  Mercy  free,    that  can't  be  bought, 
Reign  through  a  Righteoufnefs  already  wrought : 
Were  woful  reigning  Unbelief  depos'd  : 
Myfterious  Grace  to  blinded  Minds  difclos'd  : 
Did  Heav'n  with  Gofpel-news  its  Power  convey,  -^ 
And  Sinners  hear  a  faithful  God  but  fay,  C 

ic  No  more  Law-Debt  remains  for  you  to  pay ;    3 

Lo,  by  the  loving  Surety  all's  difcharg'd, 
Their  Hearts  behoov'd  with  Love  to  be  enlarg'd  : 
Love,  the  iuccincl:  fulfilling  of  the  Law, 
Were  then  the  eafy  Yoke  they'd  fweetly  draw, 
Love  would  conftrajn  and  to  his  Service  move 
Who  left  them  Nothing  elfe  to  do  but  Love, 
Slight  now  his  loving  Precepts  if  they  can, 
No,  no,  his  conquering  Kindnefs  leads  the  Van, 

When  everlafting  Love  exerts  the  Sway, 
They  judge  themfelves  more  kindly  bound  t'obey, 
Bound  by  Redeeming  Grace  in  ftricter  Senfe, 
Than  ever  Adam  was  in  Innocence. 
Why  now  they  are  not  bound  as  formerly. 
To  Do  and  Live,  not  yet  to  Do  or  Die  ; 
3oth  Life  and  Death  are  put  in  Jesus'  Hands, 
Who  urges  neither  in  his  kind  Commands, 
^ot  fervile  work  their  Life  and  Heaven  to  win, 
STor  flavifh  labour  Death  and  Hell  to  fhun. 
Their  Aims  are  purer,  fince  they  underftood^ 
Their  Heaven  was  bought,  their  Hell  was  quench'd 

with  Blood. 
The  Oars  of  Gofpel-Service  now  they  freer, 
Without  or  legal  Hope  or  flavifh  Fear. 

The  Bride  in   fweet  Security  can  dwell, 
far  bound  to  purchafe  Heaven5  nor  vanquiih  Hell:  « 

But 


40        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

But  bound  for  him   the  Race  of  Love  to  run, 
Whofe  Love   to  her  left  none  of  thefe  undone ; 
She's  bound  to   be  the  Lamb's  obedient   Wife, 
And  in    his  Strength  to  ferve  him,  during  Life  j, 
To  glorify    his  loving  Name  for  ay, 
Who  left  her  not  a  iingle  Mite    to  pay 
Of  legal  Debt ;   but  wrote  for  her  at  large 
Jn  Characters   of  Blood  a  full  Difcharge. 
Henceforth  no  fervile  Tafk  her  Labours  prove, 
But  grateful  Fruits  of  reverential  Love. 


SECT.    V. 

Qofpel-Grace  giving   no  Liberty  nor  Freedom    to  Sin, 
but  to  holy  Service,  and  pure  Obedience. 

THE    glorious    Hufband's  Love  can't    lead  the 
Wife 
To  Whoredom   or  Licentioufnefs  of  Life  : 
Nay,  nay,  fhe  finds  his  warmeft  Love  within, 
The  hotteft  Fire  to  melt    her  Heart  for  Sin. 
Hit-  kind  Embrace  is  ftill    the  ftrongeft  Cord, 
To  bind  her  to  the  Service  cf  her  Lord. 
The  more  her  Faith  infures  this  Love  of  his,. 
The  more  his  Law  her  Delectation  is. 
Some  dream,  they  might,  who  this  AlFarance  win^ 
Take  Latitude  and  Liberty  to  fin. 
Ah  !  fuch  bewray  their  Ignorance,  and  prove,     -^ 
They  want  the  lively  Senfe  of  drawing  Love,      C 
And  how  its  fweet  conftraining  Force  can  move.   ^ 
The  Ark  of  Grace  came  never  in  to  dwell, 
But  Dagon- Lufls  before  it   headlong   fell. 
Men  bafely  can  unto  Lafcivioufnefs 
Abufe  the  Doctrine,  not  the  Work  of  Grace. 
Huggers  of  Divine  Love  in  Vice's  Path, 
£tave  but  the  Fancy  cf  it,  not  the  Faith. 

The> 


Part  I.         Tbe  Believer's  Efpoufals.  41 

They  never  foar'd  aloft  on  Grace's  Wing:, 
That  knew  not  Grace  to  be  a  holy  Thing  2 
When  regnant  fhe  the  Powers  of  Hell  appales. 
And  Sin's  Dominion  in  the  Ruin  falls, 
©urft  is  the  Crew,  whole  Antinomian  Drefs 
Makes  Grace  a  Cover  to  their  Idlenefs. 
The  Bnde  of  Chrift  williure  be  very  loth, 
To  make  his  Love  a  Pillow  for  her  Sloth. 
Why,  may'nt  fhe  fin  the  more  that  Grace  abounds? 
Oh,  God  forbid  !  the  very  Thought  confounds. 
When  ted  unto  the  Law,  fhe's  dead  to  Sin, 
How  can  fhe  any  longer  live  therein  ? 
To  neither  of  them  is  {he  now  a  Slave, 
But  mares  the  Conquer! of  the  Great,  the  Brave, 
The  mighty  General,  her  victorious  Head, 
Who  broke  the  double  Chain  to  free  the  Bride. 
Hence  prompted  now  with  Gratitude  and  Love, 
Her  chearful  Feet  in  fwift  Obedience  move. 
More  ftrong  the  Cords  of  Love  to  Duty  draw, 
Than  Hell  and  all  the  Curfes  of  the  Law. 
When  with  Seraphick  Love  the  Bread's  infpir'd, 
By  that  are  all  the  other  Graces  fir'd  ; 
Thefe  kindling  round,  the  burning  Heart  and  Frame 
In  Life  and  Walk  fend  forth  a  holy  Flame. 

CHAP.     IV. 

A  Caution  to  all  againft  a  legal  Spirit ;    es- 
pecially to  thofe  that  have  a  Profeffion  with- 
'  put  Power,  and  Learning  without  Grace. 

7HY,  fays  the  haughty  Heart  of  Legalifls, 
Bound  to  the  Law  of  Works  by  natural  Twifts, 

**  Why 


42        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

"  Why  fuch  ado  about  a  Law-Divorce  ? 

"  Men's  I A  /esare  bad,and  would  you  have'em  worfe  ? 

"  Such  Antinomian  Stuff  with  labour'd  Toil, 

w  Would  human  Beauty's  native  Luftre  fpoil. 

"  What  Wickednefs  beneath  the  Covering  lurks, 

C{  That  leudly  would  divorce  us  all  from  Works  ? 

■*  Why  fuch  a  Stir  about  the  Law  and  Grace  ? 

w  We  know  that  Merit  cannot  now  take  place, 

"   And  what  needs  more  ?  "  Well,  to  let  Slander  drop, 

Be  Merit  for  a  little  here  the  Scope. 

Ah  !  many  learn  to  lifp  in  Gofpel-Terms, 
Who  yet  embrace  the  Law  with  legal  Arms. 
By  wholfom  Education  fome  are  taught, 
To  own  that  human  Merit  now  is  naught ; 
Who  faintly  but  renounce  proud  Merit's  Name, 
And  cleave  refin'dly  to  the  Popifh  Scheme. 
For  graceful  Works  expe&ing  divine  Blifs, 
And  when  they  fail,  truft  Chrift,  for  what's  amifs.    ' 
Thus  to  his  Righteoufnefs  profefs  to  fly, 
Yet  by  it  ftill  would  their  own  Saviours  be. 
They  feem  to  Works  of  Merit  bloody  Foes, 
Yet  feek  Salvation  at  it  were  *  by  thofe, 
Blind  Gentiles  found,  who  did  nor  feek  nor  know, 
But  Ifra'I  loft  it  whole  who  fought  it  lb. 

Let  all  that  love  to  wear  the  legal  Drefs, 
Know  that  as  Sin,  fo  daftard  Righteoufnefs 
Has  {lain  its  Thoufands,  who  in  tow' ring  Pride 
The  Righteoufnefs  of  Jesus  Christ  deride. 
A  Robe  divinely  wrought,  divinely  won, 
Yet  caft  by  Men  for  Rags  that  are  their  own. 

But  fome  to  legal  Works  feem  whole  deny'd, 
Yet  would  by  Gofpel- Works  be  juftify'd, 
By  Faith,  Repentance,  Love,  and  other  fuch         -y 
Thefe  Dreamers  being  Righteous  overmuch,  £► 

Like  Uzza  give  the  Ark  a  wrongful  Touch.        3 

By 

*  Rom,  ix,  32. 


Part  I.       The  Believer's  Efpcufals:  4j 

By  legal  Deeds  however  gofpeliz'd, 

Can  e'er  tremendous  Juftice  be  appeas'd  ? 

Or  Sinners  juftify'd  before  that  God, 

Whcfe  Law  is  perfect,  and  exceeding  broad  r 

Nay,  Faith  itfelf,  that  leading  Gofpel-Grace, 

[Holds  as  a  Work  no  juftifying  Place. 

IJiift  Heav'n  to  Man  for  Righteoufnefs  imputes 

[Not  Faith  Itklfy  or  in  its  Acls  or  Fruits. 

But  Jefus'  meritorious  Life  and  Death, 

Faith's  proper  Objecr,  all  the  Honour  hath. 

From  this  does  Faith  derive  its  glorious  Fame, 

Its  great  Renown  and  juftifying  Nams  ; 

Receiving  all  things,  but  deferving  nought ; 

By  Faith  all's  begg'd  and  taken,  nothing  bought. 

Its  higheft  Name  is  from  the  Wedding  Vote, 

So  inftrumental  in  the  Marriage-Knot. 

Jehovah  lends  the  Bride  in  that  bleft  Hour, 

77/  exceeding  Greatnefs  of  his  mighty  Power. 

Which  fweetly  does  her  Heart-confent' command, 

To  reach  the  wealthy  Prince  her  naked  Hand, 

For  clofe  to  his  Embrace  fhe'd  never  ftir, 

If  fir  ft  his  loving  Arms  embrsc'd  not  her  : 

But  this  he  does  by  kindly  gradual  Chafe, 

Of  roufing,  railing,  teaching,  drawing  Grace, 

He  (hews  her  in  his  fweeteft  Love-  Add refs, 

flis  Glory  as  the  Sun  of  Righteoufnefs. 

At  which  all  dying  Glories  Earth  adorn, 

ghrink  like  the  fick  Moon  at  the  wholfom  Morn. 

This  glorious  Sun  arifing  with  a  Grace, 

Dark  Shades  of  Creature  Righteoufnefs  to  chafe, 

Faith  now  difclaims  itfelf,  and  all  the  Train  -y 

Of  Virtues  formerly  accounted  Gain  -,  C 

And  counts  them  Dung,  with  holy,  meek  Diftlain.3 

For  now  appears  the  Height,  the  Depth  immenfe 

Of  divine  Bounty  and  Benevolence  ; 

Amazing  Mercy  !  ignorant  of  Bounds  ! 

Which  laoft  enlarged  Faculties  confounds. 

How 


^ 


44        GOSPEL     SONNETS. 

How  Vain,  how  void  now  feem  the  vulgar  Charms, 
The  Monarch's  Pomp  of  Courts,  and  Pride  of  Arms? 
The  boafred  Beauties  of  the  Human  Kind, 
The  Powers  of  Body,  and  the  Gifts  of  Mind  ? 
Lo  !  in  the  Grandeur  of  bmnawePs  Train, 
All's  fwalk>w'd  up  as  Rivers  in  the  Main. 
He/s  feen  when  Gofpel-Lightand  Sight  is  given, 
Encompafs'd  round  with  all  the  Pomp  of  Heav'n. 

The  Soul  now  taught  of  God,  fees  human  Schools 
Make^Chrifllefs  Rabbles  only  literate  Fools  ; 
And  that 'till  divine  Teaching  powerful  draw, 
No  Learning  will  divorce  them  from  the  Law. 
Mere  Argument  may  clear  the  Head,  and  force 
A  verbal,  not  a  cordial  clean  Divorce. 
Hence  many  taught  the  wholfom  Terms  of  Art, 
Have  Gofpel-Heads,  but  {till  a  legal  Heart. 
'Till  Sovereign  Grace  and  Power  the  Sin^ier  catch, 
He  takes  not  Jefus  for  his  only  Match. 
Nay,  Works  complete,  ah  !  true,  however  odd, 
Dead  Works  are  Rivals  with  the  living  God. 
'Till  Heav'n's  preventing  Mercy  clear  the  Sight, 
Confound  the  Pride  with  fupernatural  Light  j 
No  haughty  Soul  of  human  Kind  is  brought 
To  mortify  her  felf-exalting  Thought. 

Yet  holieft  Creatures  in  Clay-Tents  that  lodge, 
Be  but  their  Lives  fcann'd  by  the  dreadful  Judge; 
How  mail  they  e'er  his  awful  Search  endure, 
Before  whofe  purefl  Eves  Heav'n  is  not  pure  ? 
How  muft  their  black  Indictment  be  enlarg'd, 
When  by  him  Angels  are  with  Folly  charg'd  ? 
What  human  Worth  (hall  ftand,  when  he  {hall  fcan  ? 
O  may  his  Glory  {lain  the  Pride  of  Man. 

How  wondrous  are  the  Tracks  of  Divine  Grace, 
How  fearchlefs  are  his  Ways,  how  vaft  til  Abyfs  ? 
Let  haughty  Reafon  ftop,  and  fear  to  leap  ; 
Angelick  Plummets  cannot  found  the  Deep'. 

With 


IP  art  L         The  Believers  Efpciifals.  45 

[With  Scorn  he  turns  his  Eyes  from  haughty  Kings, 
[With  Pleafure  looks  on  low  and  worthlefs  Things  5 
iDeep  are  his  Judgments,  fovereign  is  his  Will, 
■Let  every  mortal  "Worm  be  dumb,  be  frill. 
■In  vain  proud  Reafon  fwells  beyond  its  Bound,     ~y 
I  God  and  his  Counfels  are  a  Gulf  profound,  > 

J  An  Ocean  wherein  all  our  Thoughts  are  drown'd.^ 


C  H  A  P.     V. 

Arguments  and  Encouragements  to  Gofpel- 
Miniflers  to  avoid  a  legal  Strain  of  Doc- 
trine, and  endeavour  the  Sinner's  Match 
with  Christ  by  Gofpel-means. 


SECT.     I. 

A  legal  Spirit  the  Root  of  damnable  Errors. 

\7  E  Heralds  great,  that  blow  in  Name  of  God 
*     The  filver  Trump  of  Gofpel-Grace  abroad  ; 
And  found  by  Warrant  from  the  great  I  AM, 
The  Nuptial  Treaty  with  the  worthy  Lamb  : 
Might  ye  but  ftoop  th'  unpolifhM  Mufe  to  brook* 
And  from  a  Shrub  an  wholfom  Berry  pluck  ; 
Ye'd  take  Encouragement  from  what  is  faid,        ~j 
By  Gofpel-means  to  make  the  Marriage-Bed  ;      v 
And  to  your  glorious  Lord  a  Virgin  chaile  to  wed.  j 

The  more  proud  Nature  bears  a  legal  Sway, 
The  more  fhould  Preachers  bend  the  Gofpel-way  : 
Oft  in  the  Church  arife  deftructive  Schifhrs 
From  anti-  evangelick  Aphorifms  1 


46  UOSr^L,     SONNETS. 

A  legal  Spirit  may  bejuftly  nam'd 

The  fertile  Womb  of  every  Error  damn'd. 

Hence  Popery  fo  connatural  fince  the  Fall, 
Makes  legal  Works  like  Saviours  merit  all  j 
Yea,  more  than  Merit  on  their  Shoulder  loads* 
To  fupererogate  like  Demi-gods. 

Hence  proud  Socinians  feat  their  Reafon  high, 
'Bove  every    precious  Gofpel- My  fiery, 
Its  divine  Author  flab,  and  without  Fear 
The  purple  Covert  of  his  Chariot  tear. 

With  thefe  run  Arian  Monfters  in  a  Line, 
All  Gofpel-Truth  at  once  to  undermine  \ 
To  darken  and  delete  like  hellifh  Foes, 
The  brigheft  Colour  of  the  Sharon  Role. 
At  beft  its  human  Red  they  but   decry 
That  blot  the  divine  White,  the  native  Dye. 

Hence  dare  Arminians  too  with  brafen  Face, 
GiveMan'sFree-willtheThroneofGod'sFree-Grace 
Whofe  felf-exalting  Tenets  clearly  fhew 
Great  Ignorance  of  Law  and  Gofpel  too. 

Hence  Neonomians  fpringj  as  fundry  call 
The  new  Law-makers  to  redrefs  our  Fall. 
The  Law  of  Works  into  Repentance,  Faith^ 
Is  chang'd,  as  their  Baxterian  Bible  faith. 
Shaping  the  Gofpel  to  an  eafy  Law, 
They  build  their  tott'ringHoufe  with  Hayand  Straw 
Yet  hide  like  Rachel's  Idols  in  the  Stuff 
Their  legal  Hands  within  a  Gofpel-MufF. 

Yea,  hence  fprings  Antlnomlan  vile  Refufe, 
Whofe  grois  Abbettors  Gofpel-Grace  abufe  ; 
Unfkill'd  how  Grace's  filken  Latchet  binds 
Her  Captives  to  the  Law,  with  willing  Minds. 


s  £  C  T 


Part  I.         The  Believers  &JpouJals.  47 

SECT.    IL 

A  legal  Strain  of  Doctrine  difcovered  and  dif carded, 

NO  wonder  Paul  the  legal  Spirit  curfe, 
Of  fatal  Errors  fuch  a  feeding  Nurie. 
!  He  in  Jehovah's  great  tremendous  Name, 
I  Condemns  Perverters  of  the  Gofpel-Scheme. 
!  He  damn'd  the  Sophift  rude,  the  babling  Prieft 
i  Would  venture  to  corrupt  it  in  the  leaft  ; 
Yea,  curft  the  heavenly  Angel  down  to  Hell, 
That  daring  would  another  Gofpel  tell.  * 
Which  Crime  is  charg'd  on  thefe  that  dare  difpenfe 
The  felf-fame  Gofpel  in  another  Senfe. 

Chrijl  is  not  preach'd  in  Truth,  but  in  Difguife, 
If  his  bright  Glory  half  abfconded  lies. 
When  Gofpel-Soldiers,  that  divide  the  Word, 
Scarce  brandifh  any  but  the  legal  Sword. 
While  Chrijl  the  Author  of  the  Law  they  prefs5 
More  than  the  End  of  it  for  Righteoufnefs  •> 
Chrijl  as  a  Seeker  of  our  Service  trace, 
More  than  a  Giver  of  enabling  Grace. 
The  King  commanding  Holinefs  they  fhow, 
More  than  the  Prince  exalted  to  beftow  ; 
Yea,  more  on  Chrijl  the  Sin-Revenger  dwell. 
Than  Chrijl  Redeemer  both  from  Sin  and  HelL 
*With  legal  Spade  the  Gofpel  Field  he  delves. 
Who  thus  drives  Sinners  in  unto  themfelves  ; 
Halving  the  Truth  that  mould  be  all  revealed 
The  fweeteft  Part  of  Chrijl  is  oft  conceal'd. 
We  bid  Men  turn  from  Sin,  but  feldom  fay? 
Behold  the  Lamb  that  takes  all  Sin  away  f 
Chrijl  by  the  Gofpel  rightly  underftpod, 
-  Not  only  treats  a  Peace,  bnt  makes  it  good. 

ThQfc 

*  Gal  i,  7;  8. 


48       GOSPEL    SONNETS; 

Thofe  Suitors  therefore  of  the  Bride,   who  hope 

By  force  to  drag  her  with  the  legal  Rope, 

Nor  ufe  the  drawing  Cord  of  conqu'ring  Grace, 

JPurfue  with  flaming  Zeal  a  fuitlefs  Chafe  ; 

In  vain  lame  Doings  urge,  with  folemn  Awe, 

To  Inbe  the  Fury  of  the  fiery  Law  : 

With  equal  Succefs  to  the  Fool  that  aims 

By  paper  Walls  to  bound  devouring  Flames. 

The  Law's  but  mock'd  by  their  mofr  graceful  Deed, 

That  wed  not  ftrft  the  Law-fulfilling  Head  ; 

It  values  neither  how  they  wrought  nor  wept, 

That  flight  the  Ark  wherein  alone  'tis  kept. 

Yet  Legal  ills,  DO,  DO,  with  Ardour  prefs,         ""? 

And  with  prepoft'rous  Zeal  and  warm  Addrefs,     ?- 

Would  feem  the  greatefr.  Friends  to  Hoiinefs  :        ^ 

But  vainly  (could  fuch  Oppofites  accord) 

Refpecl:  the  Law,  and  yet  reject  the  Lord. 

They  fhew  not  Jefus  as  the  Way  to  Blifs, 

But  Judas-XikQ  betray  him  with  a  Pvifs 

Of  boafted  Works,  or  meer  ProfefTion  puftj 

Law-Boafters  proving  but  Law-Breakers  oft. 


SECT.    III. 

'the   Hurtfulnefs   of  not  preaching    Christ,    and 
dijihigiiifilng  duly  between  Law  and  Gofpel. 

\~-\  ELL  cares  not  how  crude  Hoiinefs  be  preach'd, 

*-  ■*  If  Sinners  Match  with  Chri/i  be  never  reach'd  $ 

Knowing  their  Hoiinefs  is  but  a  Sham, 

Who  ne'er  are  marry'd  to  the  Holy  Lamb. 

Let  Words  have  never  fuch  a  pious  fhew, 

And  blaze  aloft  in  rude  Profeflbr's  View, 

W'ith  facred  Aromaticks  richly  fpic'd, 

If  they  but  drown  in  Silence  glorious  Cbriji  -9 

Or, 


J*O.T  L       The  Believer's  Efpoufak.  -49 

Or,  if  he  may  fome  vacant  Room  fupply, 
Make  him  a  Subject  only  by  the  by. 
They  mar  true  Holinefs  with  tickling  Chat, 
To  breed  a  Baftard  Pharifaick  Brat. 
They  wofuily  the  Gofpel- Meffage  broke, 
Make  fearful  Havock  of  the  Matter's  Flock  ; 
Yet  pleafe  themfelves  and  the  blind  Multitude, 
By  whom  the  GofpeFs  little  underitood. 

Rude  Souls  perhaps  imagine  little  Odds 
Between  the  Legal  and  the  Gofpel  Roads, 
But  vainly  Men  attempt  to  blend  the  two  ; 
They  differ  more  than  Chrift  and  Mofes  do. 
Mofes   evangelizing  in  a  Shade, 
By  Types  the. News  of  Light  approaching  fpread^ 
But  from  the  Law  of  Works  by  him.proclaim'd^ 
No  Ray  of  Gofpel-Grace  or  Mercy  gleam'd. 
By  Nature's  Light  the  Law  to  all  is  known, 
But  lightfom  News  of  Gofpel-Grace  to  none. 
The  Doing  Cov'nant   now  in  part  or  whole^ 
Is  ftrong  to  damn,  but  weak  to  fave  a  Soul. 
It  hurts  and  cannot  help,  but  as  it  tends 
Through  Mercy  to  fubferve  fome  Gofpel  Ends, 
Law-Thunder  roughly  to  the  Gofpel  tames, 
The  Gofpel  mildly  to  the  Law  reclaims. 
The  fiery   Lav/  as  'tis  a  Covenant, 
Schools  Men  to  fee  the  Gofpel- Aid  they  want ; 
Then  Gofpel- A  id   does  £we,Qt\y  them  incline 
Back  to  the  Law  as  'tis   a  Rule  divine. 
Heav'n's  healing  work  is  oft  commenc'd  with  wounds. 
Terror  begins  w!\a$  Loving-kindness  crowns. 
Preachers  may  therefore  prefs  the  fiery  Law, 
To  ftrike  the  Chriftlefs  Man  with  dreadful  Awe, 
Law- Threats  which  for  his  Sins  to  Hell  deprefs, 
Yea  damn  him  for  his  rotten  Righteoufnefs  1 
That  while  he  views  the  Law  exceeding  broad, 
He  fain  may  wed  the  Righteouiaeis  of  Ggd, 

E  But 


1 


5o        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

But  ah  !  to  prefs  Law-worksas  Terms  of  L'fea 
Was  ne'er  the  Way  to  court  the  Lamb  a  Wife. 
To  urge  Conditions  in  the  legal  Frame, 
Is  to  renew  the  vain  old  Cov'nant  Game. 
The  Law  is  good  when  lawfully  'tis  us'd. 
But  moft  deftru&ive  when  it  is  abusyd. 
They  fet  not  Duties  in  the  proper  Sphere, 
Who  duly  Law  and  Gofpel  don't  fevere, 
But  under  mafly  Chains  let  Sinners  lie, 
As  Tributaries,  or  to  DO  or  DIE. 
Nor  make  the  Law  a  fquaring  Rule  of  Life, 
But  inthe-Gofpel-Throat  a  bloody  Knife. 


SECT.     IV. 

Damnable  Pride  and  S e If- Right eoufnefs  fo  natural  t§ 
all  Men^  has  little  need  to  be  encouraged  by  Legal 
Preaching. 

^TpHE  Legal  Path  proud  Nature  loves  fowell, 
*■     (Tho'  yet  'tis  but  the  cleaneft  Road  to  Hell) 
That  lo  !  e'en  thefe  that  take  the  fouleft  Ways, 
Whofe  Lewdnefs  no  controlling  Bridle  flays  ; 
If  but  their  drowfy  Confcience  raife  its  Voice, 
aTwill  fpeak  the  Law  of  Works  their  native  Choice 
And  echo  to  the  roufing  Sound,  "  Ah  true ! 
66  I  cannot  hope  to  live,  unlefs.  I  DO." 
No  confcious  Breafr.. of  mortal  Kind  can  trace 

e  Myftery  deep  of  being  fav'd  by  Grace. 
Of  this  nor  is  the  natural  Confcience  fkill'd  * 
Nor  will  admit  it,  when  it  is  reveal'd  i 
But  pufhes  at  the  Gofpel  like  a  Ram, 
As  Proxy  for  the  Law,  againft  the  Lamb. 

The  proud  felf- righteous  Pharifaick  Strain 
Is,  «  Bleft  be  God  I'm.  not  like  other  Men  ; 


Part  I.       The  Believer* s  Efpoufals,  g* 

**  I  read  and  pray,  give  Alms,  I  mourn  and  faft, 
ec  And  therefore  hope  I'll  get  to  Heav'n  at  laft  : 
%  6  For  tho*  from  every  Sin  I  be  not  free, 
*'  Great  Multitudes  of  Men  are  worfe  than  me, 
uPmnoneof  thofe  that  fwear^    cheat,   drink  and 


•  I 

tobe?> 


Thus  on  the  Law  he  builds  his  Babel  Tower* 

Yea  even  the  vileil  curfed  Debauchee, 
Will  make  the  Law  of  Works  his  very  Plea 
u  Why,  (fays  the  Rake)  what  take  you  me 
*'  A  Turk  or  Infidel  (you  lye)  I  can't  -y 

*'  Be  term'd  fo  bafe,    but  by  a  Sycophant  >  C 

*c  Only  I  hate  to  acl  the  whining  Saint.  3 

* '  I  am  a  Chriftian  true,  and  therefore  bode, 
"  It  (hall  be  well  with  me,  I  hope  in  God. 
"  An't  I  an  honefr.  Man  ?  yea,  I  defy, 
*c  The  Tongue  that  dare  affert  black  to  mine  Eye." 

Perhaps  when  the  Reprover  turns  his  Back, 
He'll  vend  the  viler  Wares  o'  's  open'd  Pack. 
And  with  his  Fellows  in  a  Strain  more  big, 
P  Bid  damn  the  bafe,  uncharitable  Whig. 
Cf  Thefe  fcoundrel  H)  pocrites  (he'll  proudly  fay) 
"  Think  none  fhall  ever  merit  Heav'n  but  they. 
*'  And  yet  we  may  complete  with  them^  for  fee 
"  The  beft  have  BJeinifhes  as  well  as  we. 
"  We  have  as  good  a  Heart  (we  truit)  as  thefe, 
"  Tho'  not  their  vain  fuperfluous  Shew  and  Blaze* 
*e  Bigoted  Zealots,  whole  foul  Crimes  are  hid, 
"  Would  damn  us  all  to  Hell,  but  God  forbid. 
"  Whatever  fuch  a  whining  Seel  profefs, 
*4  'Tis  but  a  nice,  rnorofe,  afFe&ed  Drefs. 
*'  And  tho'  we  don't  pretead  fo  much  as  they, 
"  We  hope  to  compafs  Heav'n  a  filorter  Way  ; 
*c  We  feek  God's  Mercy,  and  are  all  along 
<c  Mofl:  free  of  Malice,  and  do  no  Man  wrong. 
<c  But  Whims  phantaflick  fha'n't  our  Heads  annoy* 
*'  That  would  our  ibcial  Liberies  deftroy, 

E  2  ,■         H  £wr% 


1 


$i      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

"  Sure,  right  Religion  never  was   defign'd, 
"  To  mar  the  native  Mirth  of  Human  Kind. 
*c  How  weak  are  thofe  that  would  be  thought  nonfuch! 
<c  How  mad,    that  would   be   righteous  overmuch  ! 
<6  We  have  fufficient,  tho'   we  be  not  cramnl'd  : 
*c  We'll  therefore  hope  the  bcft, let  them  be  damnM." 

Ah  horrid  Talk  !  yet  fo  the  legal  Strain 
Lards  even  the  Language  of  the  niJ  Profane, 
Thus  dev'lifh  Pride  o'erlooks  a  thoufand  Faults, 
And  on  a  legal  Ground    itfelf  exalts. 
This  DO  and  LIVE,  tho'  Doing  Power  be  loft, 
In  every  Mortal  is  proud  Nature's  Boaft. 
How  does  a  vain  Conceit  of  Goodnefs  fwell 
And  feed  falfe  Hope  amidfr.  the  Shades  of  Hell  f 
Shall  we  who  mould  by  Gofpel  Methods  draw, 
Send  Sinners  to  their  natural  Spoufe  the  Law  > 
And  harp  upon  the  Doing  String  to  fuch, 
Who  ignorantly  dream  they  do  fo  much  ? 
Why,  thus  inftead  of  courting  Chriji  a  Bride, 
We  harden  Rebels  in  their  native  Pride. 

Much  rather  ought  we  in  God's  Name    to  place 
His  great  Artillery  ftraight  againfl  their  Face  j 
And  throw  hot  Sinai  Thunder-  bolts  around, 
To  burn  their  tow'ring  Hopes  down  to  the  Ground. 
To  make  the  Pillars  of  their  Pride  to  fhake, 
And  damn  their  Doings  to  the  burning  Lake. 
To  curfe  the  Doers,  unto  endlefs  Thrall, 
That  never  did  continue  to  do  all.  * 
To  fcorch  their  Confcience  with  the  flaming  Air, 
And  fink  their  haughty  Hopes  in  deep  Defpair  j 
Denouncing  EbaH  black  revenging  Doom, 
To  blaft  their  Expectation  in  the  Bloom ; 
*Till  once  vain  Hope  of  Life  by  Works  give  Place, 
Unto  a  folid  Hope  of  Life  by  Grace. 

The  vig'rous  Ufe  of  Means  is  fafely  urg'd, 
When  prefling  Calls  from  legaj  Dregs  are  purg'd  ; 

*GW.  iii.  I«r 


Part  I.        The  Believer's  Ffpoufals.  53 

But   rnoft  unfafely  in  a  Federal  Drefs,  . 
Confounding  Terms  of  Life  with  Means  of  Grace. 
Oh  dang'rous  is  th'  Attempt  proud  Flefh  to  ple^fe, 
Or  fend  a  Sinner  to  the  Law  for  Eafe ; 
Who  rather  needs  to  feel  its  piercing  Dart, 
'Till  dreadful  Pangs  invade  his  trembling  Heart  5 
And  thither  mould  be  only    fent  for  Flames 
Of  Fire  to  burn  his  rotten  Hopes  and  Claims  ; 
That  thus  difarm'd,  he  gladly  may  embrace, 
And  grafp  with  Eagernefs  the  Mews  of  Grace. 


SECT.  y. 

The  Gofpel  of  Divine  Grace  the  only  Means  of  con- 
vening Sinners,  and  Jhould  be  preached  therefore 
moji  clearly,  fully  and  freely, 

TFIEY  ought,  who  royal  Grace's  Heralds  be, 
To  trumpet  loud  Salvation  full  and  free  5 
Nor  fafely  can,  to  humour  mortal  Pride, 
In  Silence  evangelick  Myfteries  hide. 
What  Heav'n  is  pleas'd  to  give,  dare  we  refufe, 
Or  under  Ground  conceal,  left  Men  abufe  ? 
Supprefs  the  Gofpel- Flower  upon  Pretence, 
That  fome  vile  Spiders  may  fuck  Poifon  thence  ? 
Christ  is  a  Stumbling- Block,  fhall  we  neglect 
To  preach  him,  left  the  Blind  mould  break  theirNecks? 
That  high  he's  for  the  Fall  of  many  fet 
As  well  as  for  the  Rife,   muft  prove  no  Let. 
No  Grain  of  precious  Truth  muft  be  fuppreft, 
Though  Reprobates  mould  to  their  Ruin  wreft. 
Shall  Heav'n's  corufcant  Lamp  be  dimm'd,  that  pays 
Its  daily  Tribute  down  in  golden  Rays  ? 
Becaufe  fome  blinded  with  the  blazing  Gleams, 
Share  not  the  Pleafure  of  the  lightning  Beams. 

E  a  Let 


54        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

Let  thofe  be  harden'd,  petrifvT'd  and  harm'd, 
The  reft  aremollify'd  and  kindly  warm'd. 
A  various  Savour,  *  Flowers  in  Grace's  Field, 
Of  Life  to  fome,  of  Death  to  others  yield. 
Muft  then  the  Rpk  be  vail'd,  the  Lily  hid, 
The  fragrant  Savour  ftifl'd  ?   God  forbid. 

The  Revelation  of  the  Gofpel  Flower, 
Is  ftill  the  Organ  fam'd  of  faving  Power ; 
Moftjuftlv  then  are  legal  Minds  condemn'd, 
That  of  the  glorious  Gofpel  are  amam'd  : 
For  this  the  Divine  Arm,  and  only  this 
IThe  Power  of  God  unto  Salvation  is  f 
For  therein  is  reveal' d  to  fcreen  from  Wrath, 
The  Righteoufnefs  of  God  from  Faith  to  Faith. 
The  happy  Change  in  guilty  Sinners  Cafe, 
They  owe  to  free  Difplays  of  Sov'reign  Grace  ; 
Whofe  joyful  Tidings  of  amazing  Love, 
The  Miniftration  of  the  Spirit  prove. 
The  glorious  Vent  the  Gofpel-News  exprefs, 
Of  God's  freeGrace,  thro'  Chrift's  full  Righteoufnefs> 
Is  Heav'n's  gay  Charjot  where  the  Spirit  bides, 
And  in  his  conqu'ring  Power  triumphant  rides. 
The  Gofpel  Field  is  ftill  the  Spirit's  Soil, 
The  Golden  Pipe  that  bears  the  holy  Oil. 
The  Orb  where  he  outfhines  the  radiant  Sun, 
The  filver  Channel  where  his  Graces  run. 
Within  the  Gofpel  Banks  his  flowing  Tide 
Of  light'ning,  quick'ning  Motions  fweetly  glide,       |  J 
Received  ye  the  Spirit ,  Scripture  faith,  % 
By  legal  IVorks^  or  by  the  Word  of  Faith* 
If  by  the  Gofpel  only,  then  let  none 
Dare  to  be  wifer  than  the  wifeft  One. 

We  muft  who  freely  get,  as  freely  give. 
The  vital  Word  that  makes  the  Dead  to  live. 

*  2  Cor.  ii.  16.  f  Rom.  i.  l6a  17. 
I  G&L  iii,  2» 

For 


•Part  I.         The  Believer's  Efpoufals.  $$ 

■For  ev'n  to  Sinners  dead  within  our  reach, 

*  We  in  his  living  Name  may  molt  fuccefsful  preach. 

The  Spirit  and  the  Scripture  both  agree 
j  Jointly  (fays  Christ)  to  teftify  of  me. 
[The  Preacher  then  will  from  his  Text  decline, 
[That  fcorns  to  harmonize  with  this  Delign  ; 
IPrefs  moral  Duties  to  the  laft  Degree, 
[Why  not,  but  mind  left  we  iuccefslefs  be. 
[No  Light,  no  Hope,  no  Strength  for  Duties  fpring, 
[Where  Jesus  is  not  Prophet,  Pried  and  King. 
No  Light  to  fee  the  Way  unlefs  he  teach,  ~) 

No  joyful  Hope  fave  in  his,  Blood  we  reach,  V 

N"o  Strength  unlefs  his  royal  Arm  he  ftretch.  S 

Then  from  our  leading  Scope  how  grofs  we  fall !  ~y 
[f,  like  his  Name,  in  every  Gofpel  Call,  V 

We  make  not  him  the  Firjf,  the  Lqft^  the  AIL      -> 

Our  Office  is  to  bear  the  radiant  Torch 
3f  Gofpel- Light,  into  the  darken'd  Porch, 
^)f  human  Underilandings,  and  difplay 
The  joyful  Dawn  of  everlafting  Day  ; 
To  draw  the  golden  Chariot  of  free  Grace, 
The  darkened  Shades  with  mining  Rays  to  chafe, 
Till  Heaven's  bright  Lamp  on  circling  Wheels  be 

hurl'd, 
With  fparkljng  Grandeur  round  the  dusky  World  } 
\nd  thus  to  bring,  in  dying  Mortals  fight, 
Siew  Life  and  Immortality  to  Light. 
We're  charg'd  to  preach  the  Gofpel  unconfin'd, 
ro  every  Creature  of  the  Human  Kind, 
To  call,  with  Tenders  of  Salvation  free, 
Ul  Corners  of  the  Earth  to  come  and  fee  .* 
^nd  every  Sinner  moft  excufelefs  make, 
>y  urging  Rich  and  Poor  to  come  and  take. 

Ho  every  one  that  thirjls,  *  is  Grace's  Call 
)irecl  to  needy  Sinners  great  ancj  fmalls 

E4 

*  Ifa.  lv.  i,  20 

Net 


56        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

Not  meaning  thofe  alone,  whofe  holy  Thirft 
Denominates  their  Souls   already  bleff. 
If  only  thofe  were  call'd,  then  none  but  Saints  ; 
Nor  would  the  Gofpel  fute  the  Sinners  Wants. 
But  here  the  Call  does  fignally  import 
Sinners  and  thirlty  Souls  of  every  fort  ; 
.And  mainly  to,their  Door  the  MefTage  brings, 
Who  yet  are  thirfting  after  empty  Things. 
Wkofpend  their  Means,  no  living  Bread  to  buy, 
And  Pains  for  that  which  cannot  fatisfy. 
Such  thirlty  Sinners  here  invited  are, 
WTho  vainly  fpend'  their  Money,  Thought  and  Care, 
On  palling  Shades,  vile  Lulls  and  Trafh  fo  bafe, 
As  yield  immortal  Souls  no  true  Solace. 
The  Call  directs  them  as  they  would  be  blelt, 
To  choofe  a  purer  Object   of  their  Thirft. 
All  are  invited  by  the  joyful  Sound, 
To  drink  who  need,  as  does  the  parched  Ground, 
Whofe  wide-mouth'd  Clefts  fpeak  to  the  brafen  Sky, 
Its  paliive  Thirfr,  without  an  active  Cry. 
The  Gofpel-Preacher  then  with  holy  Skill, 
Muft  offer  Christ    to  whofoever  will, 
To  Sinners  of  all  forts   that  can  be  nam'd  ; 
T(ie  blind,  the  lame,  the  poor,  the  halt,  the  maim'd. 
Not  daring  to  refine"!  th'  extenfive  Call,  t 

But  opening  wide  the  Net  to  catch  'em  all. 
No  Soul  mull:  be  excluded  that  will  come, 
Nor  Right  of  Accefs  be  confin'd  to  fome. 
Tho'  none  will  come  till  confeious  of  their  Want, 
Yet  Right  to  come  they  have  by  fov'reign  Grant  -, 
Such  Right  to  Chrijt,  his  Promife  and  his  Grace, 
That  all  are  damn'd  who  hear  and  don't  embrace. 
So  freely  is  th'  unbounded  Call  difpens'd, 
We  therein  find  even  Sinners  unconvine'd  ; 
Who  know  not  they  are  naked,  blind  and  poor,*  •"? 

Counferd  to  buy  or  beg  at  Jefus'  Door, 
■rfn<l  take  the  glorious  Robe,  Eyefcrlv^arJgoUtnStore.  - 
*  Rev,  iii,  J;,  18.   '  Tl* 


Fart  I.       The  Believers  izjpotqats.  57 

This  Prize  they  are  oblig'd  by  Faith  to  win,  ■ 
Eife  Unbelief  would  never  be  their  Sin. 
Yea,  Gofpel-Offers  but  a  Sham  we  make, 
If  every  Sinner  has  not  Right  to  take. 

Be  Gofpel  Heralds  fortify'd  from  this, 
To  trumpet  Grace  howe'er  the  Serpent  hifs. 
Did  Hell's  malicious  Mouth  in  dreadful  Shape 
'Gainft  Innocence  itfelf  malignant  gape  ? 
Then  facred  Truth's  devoted  Vouchers  may, 
For  dire  Reproach  their  Aleafures  conitant  lay. 
With  cruel  Calumny  of  old  commenc'd, 
This  Sefl  will  every  where  be  /poke  againft. 
While  to  and  fro  he  runs  the  Earth  acrof9, 
Whofe  Name  is  Adelphon  katcgoros* 
In  fpite  of  Hell  be  then  our  conftant  Strife 
Tc  win  the  glorious  Lamb  a  Virgin  Wife. 

CHAP.    VI. 

An    Exhortation!    to   all    that    are    out    of 
Christ;   in  order  to  their  doling  the 
Match     with    him   :      Containing     alfo 
*Motives  and  Directions. 

13  Eader,  into  thine  Hands  thefe  Lines  are  given,, 
•*-*"  But  not  without  the  Providence  of  Heaven ;. 
Or  to  advance  thy  Blifs,  if  thou  art  wife, 
Or  aggravate  thy  Woe,  if  thou  defpife. 
For  thee?  for  thee,  perhaps  th'  Omnifcient  Ken 
Has  form'd  the  Counfel  here,  and  led  the  Pen, 
The  Writer  then  does  thy  Attention  plead, 
In  his  great  Name  that  gave  thee  Eyes  to  read. 

SECT. 

*  7 be  Accuftr  of  th  brethren* 


5$.       GOSPEL  SONNETS. 


S  E  C-T.   I. 

■Conviclicn  offer*  d  to  Sinner j,  efpecially  fuch  as  are 
wedded  ftriRly  to  the  Law,  or  f elf-righteous,  that 
they  may  fee  their  Need  of  Christ'*  Righteouf 
nefs. 

TF  never  yet  thou  didft  fair  Jesus  wed, 
-*  Nor  yield  thy  Heart  to  be  his  Marriage-Bed  : 
But  hitherto  art  wedded  to  the  Law, 
Which  never  could  thy  chain'd  Affections  draw,, 
From  brutilh  Lufts  and  fordid  Lovers  Charms  \ 
Lo  !  thou  art  yet  m  Satan's  folded  Arms. 
Hell's  Power  invifible  thy  Soul,  retains, 
His  captive  Slave,  lock'd  up  in'maily  Chains. 
O  Sinner  then,  as  thou  regard'ft  thy  Life, 
Seek,  feek  with  ardent  Care  and  earneft  Strife, 
To  be  the  glorious  Lamb's  betrothed  Wife. 
For  bafe  Corrivals  never  let  him  lofe 
Thy  Heart,  his  Bed  of  conjugal  Repofe. 
Wed  Chriji  alone,  and  with  fevere  Remorfe 
Frcm  other  Mates  purfue  a  clean  Divorce  ;' 
For  they  thy  Ruin  feek,  by  Fraud  or  Force. 
As  lurking  Serpents  in  the  fhady  Bowers, 
Conceal  their  Pv^alice  under  fpreading  Flowers  j 
So  thy  deceitful  Lufts  with  cruel  Spite, 
Hide  ghaftly  Danger  under  gay  Delight. 
Art  thou  a  legal  Zealot  foft  or  rude, 
jRenounce  thy  natural  and  acquired  Good. 
As  bafe  deceitful  Lufts  may  work  thy  Smart, 
So  may  deceitful  Frames  upon  thy  Heart. 
-Seeming  good  Motions  may  in  fome  be  found, 
Much  Joy  in  Hearing,  like  the  ftony  Ground  ; 
Much  Sorrow  too  in  Praying,  as  appears 
In  Efau's  careful  Sute  with  rueful  Tears. 

Touching 


3 art  I.         *fhe  Believer's  Efpcufels.  ^ 

Vouching  the  Law,  they  Blamelefs  may  appear^ 
«Yom  fpurious  Views  moil  fpecious  Virtues  bear. 
tcr  meerly  be  devout  in  Mens  Efteem, 
But  prove  to  be  fmcereiy,  what  they  feem, 
"riends  to  the  holy  Law,  in  Heart  and  Life, 
■uers  of  Heav'n  with  utmoft  legal  Strife, 
fet  {till  with  innate  Pnie  fo  rankly  fpic'd 
Converted  but  to  Duties,  not  to  Ckrlft, 
That  publicans  and  Harlots  Heav'n  obtain^ 
3efore  a  Crew  fo  righteous  ^nd  fo  vain, 
Sooner  will  thofe  (hake  oft  their  vicious  Drefs, 
Than  thefe  blind  Zealots  will  their  Righteoufnefs, 
iVho  judge  they  have  (which  fortifies  their  Pride) 
The  Law  of  God  it  felf  upon  their  fide. 
31d  Nature  new-brufh'd-up  with  legal  Pains, 
>uch  frric~l  Attachment  to  the  Law  retains, 
slo  Means,  no  Motives  can  to  Jefus  draw 
Vain  Souls,  fo  doubly  wedded  to  the  Law. 

But  would'ft  the  glorious  Prince  in  Marriage  have5 
Cnow  that  thy  natural  Hufband  cannot  fave. 
Thy  beft  ElTays  to  pay  the  legal  Rent, 
Jan  never  in  the  leaft  the  Law  content. 
Didfr.  thou  in  Prayers  employ  the  Morning  Light, 
n  Tears  and  Groans  the  Watches  of  the  Night, 
?afs  thy  whole  Life  in  clofe  Devotion  o'er  ; 
Tis  nothing  to  the  Law  frill  craving  more. 
There's  no  Proportion  ?twixt  its  high  Commands  y 
\nd  puny  Works  from  thy  polluted  Hands  ;  £ 

Perfection  is  the  leaft  that  it  demands.    _  3 

Would'Jt  enter  into  Life  then,    keep  the  Law, 
3ut  keep  it  perfectly  without  a  Flaw, 
.t  wo'nt  have  lefs,   nor  will  abate  at  lafr. 
k  Drop  of  Vengeance  for  the  Sin  that's  paft. 
Tell,  linful  Mortal,  is  thy  Stock  fo  large 
Us  duly  can  defray  this  double  Charge  ? 
*  Why,  thefe  are  rneer  Impoilibles"     (fay ft  thou.) 
Tea,  truly  fo  they  are  ■  and  therefore  now, 

That 


60        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

That  down  thy  legal  Confidence  may  fall, 

The  Law's  black  Doom  home  to  thy  Bofom  call. 

*c  Lo  !  I  (the  Divine  Law)  demand  no  lefs, 

<c  Than  perfect,  everlafting  Righteoufnefs ; 

**  But  thou  hair  faii'd,  and  loll  thy  Strength  to  DO 

M  Therefore  I  doom  thee  to  eternal  Woj 

u  In  Prifon  clofe  to  be  fhut  up  for  ay, 

<c  E'er  I  be  bafiled   with  thy  uartial  Pay. 

*"  Thou  always  didlt  and  dofl  my  Precepts  breaks 

*'  I  therefore  curfe  thee  to  the  burning  Lake. 

*'■  In  God  the  great  Lawgiver's  glorious  Name. 

*6 1  judge  thy  Soul  to  everlafting  Shame. 

No  Flejh  can  by  the  Law  be  j'ujiijied, 

Yet  dareft  thou  thy  legal  Duties  plead  ? 

As  Paul  appeaPd  to  Cejar,  wilt  thou  (a 

Unto  the  Law  ?   then  to  it  malt  thou  go, 

And  find  it  doom  thee  to  eternal  Wo. 

What  would  you  have  us  plung'd  in  deep  Defpair  ? 
Amen,  yea  God  him fe'lf  would  have  you  there. 
Hi?  Will  it  is  that  you  deTpair  of  Life, 
Ai:d  Safety  by   the  Law  or  legal  Strife  ; 
That  cleanly  thence  divore'd  at  any  Rate, 

aireft  Son  may  have  a  faithful  Mate. 
'Tiii  this  Law-Sentence  pafs  within  your  BreafT, 
You  11  never  wed  the  Law-difcharging  Prieft. 
You  prize  not  Heav'n  'till  he  thro'  Hell  you  draw, 
Nor  love  the  Gofpel  'till  you  know  the  Law. 

Know  then,  the  divine  Law  moft  perfect,    cares 
For  none  of  thv  imperfect  legal  Wares ; 
Dooms  thee  to  Vengeance  for  thy  finful  State, 
As  well  as  finful  Actions  fmall  or  great. 
If  any  Sin  can  be  accounted  fmall, 
To  Hell  it  dooms  thy  Soul  for  one  and  all. 
For  Sins  of  Nature,  Piadice,  Heart  and  Way, 
Damnation-Rent  it  fummons  thee  to  pay. 
Yea  not  for  Sin  alone  which  is  thy  Sham^, 
But  for  "thy  boafied  Service  too,  fa  lame, 

The 


''art'  I.         The  Believer's  Efpoufds.  61 

rhe  Law  adjudges  Hell  and  thee  to  meet, 
tecaufe  thy  Righteoufnefs  is  uncomplete. 
Vs  tow'ring  Flames  burn  up  the  wither'd  Flags, 
,o  will  the  fiery  Lav/  thy  filthy  Rags. 


SECT.     IL 

Direction  given  with  reference  to  the  right  Ufe  of  the 
Means ,  that  vje  reft  not  on  thefe  in/lead  of  Ch  r  1ST 
the  glorious  Hufiand,  in  whom  our  Help  lies. 

DAM,  where  art  thou  f  Soul,  where  art  thotf" 
now  ? 

)h,  art  thou  faying,  Sir,   what  Jhall  I  do  ? 
<lare  not  ufe   that  proud  felf-raifing  {train,. 
to  help  yourfelf  and  God  will  help  you  then. 
'^ay  -rather  know,   O  Ifra'I,  that  thou  haji 
Oeflrofd  thy/elf  a|i.d*canit  not  in  the  leait 
from  Sin  nor  WrifS  thyfelf  the  Captive  frees, 
tyy  Help  (fays  Jesus)  only  lies  in  me. 
'leav'n's  Oracles  direct  to  him  alone, 
mil  Help  is  laid  upon  this  mighty  One. 
n  him,  in  him  complete  Salvation  dwells, 
le's  God  the  Helper,  and  ihere'is  none  elfe. 
fig-leaves  won't  hide  thee  from  the  fiery  3howci¥ 
Lis  he  alone  that  faves  by  Price  and  Power. 

Muft  we  do  nothing  then  (will  Mockers  fay) 
5ut  reft,  in  Sloth  'till  Heav'n  the  Help  convey  t 
'ray,  ftop  a  little,  Sinner,  don't  abufe 
jod's  awful  Word,  that  charges  thee  to  ufe 
vleans,  Ordinances,  which  he's  pleas'd  to  places- 
is  precious  Channels  of  his  pow'rful  Grace, 
ieftlefs  improve  all  thefc,  until  from  Heaven, 
The  whole  Salvation  needful  thus  be  given. 
vVait  in  this  Path,  according  to  his  Call, 
h*  hjm  wWe  Fewer  atone  effe&eth  all, 

Would^il 


62        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

Would'it.  thou  him  wed,  in  Duties  wait,  I  fay* 
But  marry  not  thy  Duties  by  the  way. 
Thou'lt  wofully  gome  fhort  of  laving  Grace, 
If  Duties  only  be  thy  RefKng-place. 
Nay,  go  a  little  farther  throug-i  them  all, 
To  him  whofe  Office  is  to  fave  from  ThralL 
Thus  in  a  Gofpel-manner  hopeful  wait, 
Striving  to  enter  by  the  narrow  Gate ; 
So  (trait  and  narrow,  that  it  won't  admit 
The  Bunch  upon  thy  back  to  enter  it. 
Not  only  bulky  Lufts  may  ceafe  to  prefs, 
But  even  the  Bunch  of  boarted  Righteoufhefs/ 

Many,  as  in  the  facred  Page  we  fee* 
Shall firive  to  enter ',  but  unable  be  : 
-Becaufe  miftakingthis  new  Way  of  Life, 
They  pufh  a  legal,  not  a  Gofpel-Strife  : 
As  if  their  Duties  did  Jehovah  bind, 
Becaufe  'tis  written,  feek  and  yc  foall find. 
Perverted  Scripture  does  their  Juror  fence* 
They  read  the  Letter^   but  neglect  the  Senfe, 
While  to  the  Word  no  Gofpel-Glofs  they  givfc*- 
Their^i  and^Ws  the  fame  with  do  and  live, 
ILnce  would  thev  a  Connexion  native  place, 
Between  their  moral  Pains  and  faving  Grace  i 
Their  nat'ral  poor  EfTays  they  judge  won't  mifs 
In  Juftice  to  infer  eternal  Blifs. 

Thus  Commentaries  on  the  Word  they  make* 
Which  to  their  ruin  are  a  grand  Miilake, 
For  through  the  le^al  Biafs  in  their  Breaft, 
They  Scripture  to  their  own  DefcxudHon  wrefL 
Why,  if  we  feek  we  get ,  they  [v.  ther  hence  ; 
Which  is  not  Truth,  fave  in  the  Scripture-Senfe. 
There  J  ejus  deals  with  Friends,  and  elfewhere  faith, 
Thefe  Seekers  only  fpeed  that  qfk  in  Faith, 
*lhe  Prayer  of  the  Wicked  is  abhorr'dy 
As  an  Abomination  to  the  Lord* 

Theit 


Part  I.  The  Believer's  Efpmfals.         6% 

Their  Suits  are  Sin,  but  their  Negletls  no  lefs, 

Which  can't  their  Guilt  diminifh,  but  increafe. 

They  ought,    like  Beggars,    lie  in  Grace's  Way? 

Hence  Peter  taught  the  Sorcerer  to  pray  ; 

For  tho'  meer  nat'rai  Mens  Addrefs  or  Payers, 

Can  no  Acceptance  gain  as  Works  of  theirs, 

Nor  have,  as  their  Performance^  any  Sway  ', 

Yet  as  a  divine  Ordinance  they  ma 

But  fpotlefs  Truth  has  bound  itfelf  to  grant 

The  Suit  of  none,   but  the  believing  Saint. 

In  Jefus  Perfons  once  accepted.,  do 

Acceptance  find  in  him  for  Duties  too. 

For  he  whofe  Son  they  do  in  Marriage  take. 

Is  bound  to  hear  them  for  their  Hufband's  fakg. 

But  let  no  Chriftlefs  Soul  at  Pray'r  appear, 
As  if  Jehovah  were  oblig'd  to  hear  : 
But  ufe  the  Means,   became  a  Sov'reign  God 
May  come  with  Alms  in  this  his  wonted  Road. 
He  wills  thee  to  frequent  kind  Wifdom's  Gate* 
Yo  read,  hear,  meditate,  to  pray  and  wait. 
Thy  Spirit  then  be  on  thefe  Duties  bent, 
As  Gofpel -Means,  but  not  as  legal  Rent. 
From  thefe  don't  thy  Salvation  hope  nor  claim. 
But  from  Jehovah  in  the  u{e  of  them. 
The  Beggar's  Spirit  never  was  fo  dull, 
While  Waiting  at  the  Gate  call'd  Beautiful ;  *- 
To  hope  for  Succour  from  the  Temple- Gatev 
At  which  he  daily  did  fo  careful  wait ; 
But  from  the  rich  and  charitable  Sort,   . 
Who  to  the  Temple  daily  made  Refort. 
Means,  Ordinances,  are  the  comely  Gate, 
At  which  kind  Heav'n  has  bid  us  conftant  wait : 
Not  that  from  thefe  we  have  our  Alms,  but  front 
The  lib'ral  God,   who  there  is  wont  to  come.. 
If  either  we  thefe  Means  mall  dare  neglect, 
Qr  yet  from  thefe  Ui'  enriching  Blifs  expect, 

We 


6-4         GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

We  from  the  Glory  of  the  King  defalk, 
Who  in  the  Galleries  is  wont  to  walk, 
We  move  not  regular  in  Duty's  Road, 
But  bafe,  invert  them  to  an  Idol-God. 

Seek  then,  if  Gofpel-Means  you  would  eflay, 
Through  Grace  to  ufc  them  in  a  Gofpel-way  : 
Not  deeming  that  your  Duties  are  the  Price 
Of  divine 'Favour,  or  of  Paradife  ; 
Nor  that  your  heft  Efforts'  employ'd  in  thefe, 
Am  fit  Exploits  your  awful  Judge  to  pleafe. 
Why,  thus*  you  bafely  idolize  your  Tram, 
And  make  it  with  the  Blood  of  Jesus  clam. 
You'd  buy  the  Blefling  with  vour  vileRefufe, 
And  fo  his  precious  Righteoufnefs  abufe. 
What !  buy  his  Gifts  with  filthy  Lumber  !     nay,  ~p 
Whoever  offers  this,    muft  hear  him  fay,  £r 

Thy  Money  perifl)  with  thy  Sad  for  ay.  J 

Duties  are  Means  which  to  the  Marriage-Bed, 
Should  chaftly  lead  us  like  a  Chamber-Maid  j 
But  if  with  her  inftead  of  Chrift  we  match, 
We  not  our  Safety,  but  our  Ruin  hatch. 
To  Cefar^  what  is  Cefar's  mould  be  given, 
But  Cefar  muft  not  have  what's  due  to  Heaven  : 
So  Duties  mould  have  Duty's  Room,  'tis  true, 
But  nothing  of  the  glorious  Hufband's  Due. 
While  Means  the  Debt  of  ciofe  Attendance  cravey 
Our  whole  Dependance  God  alone  muft  have. 
If  Duties,  Tears,   our  Gonfcience  pacify, 
They  with  the  Blood  of  Chrift  prefume  to  vie. 
Means  are  his  VaiTals,  (hall  we  without  grudge1 
Difcard  the  Mafter,  and  efpoufe  the  Drudge  \ 
The  Hypocrite,  the  Legalift  does  fin, 
To  live  on  Duties,  not  on  Chrift  therein. 
He  only  feeds  on  empty  Dimes,  Plates, 
Who  dotes  on  Means,   but  at  the  Manna  frets. 
Let  never  Means  content  thy  Soul  at  all, 
Without  the  Hufband,  who  is  all  in  alL 

Cry 


Part  I.         *fbe  Believer's  Efpoufats.  6$ 

Cry  daily  for  the  happy  Marriage-Hour. 

To  thee  belongs  the  Mean,  to  him  the  Power. 


SECT.     III. 

A  Cell  to  believe  in  Jesus  Christ,  with  fome 
Hint  at  the  Aft  and  Object  of  Faith. 

PRiEND,  is  theQueftiqn  on  thy  Heart  engrav'd* 

■*■      What  Jhall  I  do  to  be  forever  fav' d  ? 

Lo  !  here's  a  living  Rock  to  build  upon  > 

Believe  in  Jefus  ;  and  on  him  alone     - 

For  Righteoufnefs  and  Strength,  thine  Anchor  drop* 

Renouncing  all  thy  former  legal  Hope. 

"  Believe  (fay  you  J  lean  no  more  believe, 

"  Than  keep  the  Law  of  Works,the  DO  and  LIVE* 

True,  and  it  were  thy  Mercy,  didft  thou  feea 

Thine  utter  Want  of  all  Ability. 

New  Cov'nant  Graces  he  alone  can  grant, 

Whom  God  has  given  to  be  the  Covenant  \ 

E'en  Jefus,  whom  the  facred  Letters  call 

Faith's  Object,  Author,  Finifher,   and  all  $ 

In  him  alone,  not  in  thy  AS:  of  Faith, 

Thy  Soul  believing  full  Salvation  hath. 

In  this  new  Cov'nant  judge  not  Faith  to  hold*. 
The  Room  of  perfect  Doing  in  the  Old. 
Faith  is  not  given  to  be  the  fed'ral  Price 
Of  other  Bleffings,  or  of  Paradife : 
But  Heav'n,  by  giving  this,  ftrikes  out  a  Door^ 
At  which  is  carried  in  ftill  more  and  more. 
No  Sinner  muft  upon  his  Faith  lay  Strefs. 
As  if  it  were  a  per  feci:  Righteoufnefs. 
God  ne'er  affign'd  unto  it  fuch  a  Place, 
Tis  but  at  beff.  a  bankrupt  begging  Grace, 
[ts  Object  makes  its  Fame  to  fly  abroad, 
jo  clofe  it  gripes  the  Righteoufhefs  of  God, 

F  Whish 


66         GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

Which  Righteoufnefs  receiv'd,  is  (without  Strife) 
The  true  Condition  of  eternal  Life. 

But  ftill  (fay  you)  Power  to  believe  I  mifs. 
You  may  ;  but  know  you  what  Believing  is  ? 
Faith  lies  not  in  your  building  up  a  Tower, 
Of  fome  great  Action  by  your  proper  Power. 
For  Heav'n  well  knows,  that  by  the  killing  Fall, 
JSo  Power,  no  Will  remains  in  Man  at  all 
For  Acts  divinely  good  ;  'till  fov'reign  Grace 
By  powerful  drawing  Virtue  turn  the  Chafe. 
Hence  none  believe  in  Je/us,  as  they  ought,  ~> 

'Till  once  they  firft  believe  they  can  do  nought       q 
Nor  are  fufficient  een  to  form  a  'thought.  ^ 

They're  confcious  in  the  right  believing  Hour, 
Of  human  Weaknefs,  and  of  divine  Power. 
Faith  acts  not  in  the  Senfe  of  Strength  and  Might, 
But  in  the  Senfe  of  Weaknefs  acts  out-right. 
It  is  (no  boafting  Arm  of  Power  or  Length) 
But  Tf^eaknefs  afting  on  Almighty  Strength. 
It  is  the  powerlefs,  helplefs  Sinner's  Flight 
Into  the  open  Arms  of  faving  Might, 
*Tis  an  employing  J 'ejus 'to  do  all, 
That  can  within  Salvation's  Compafs  fall  ; 
To  be  the  Agent  kind  in  every  thing, 
Belonging  to  a  Prophet,  Prieft,  and  King; 
To  teach,  to  pardon,  fan£ti fy.  and  fave, 
And  nothing  to  the  Creature's  Power  to  leave. 
Faith  makes  us  joyfully  content,  that  he 
Our  Head,  our  Husband,  and  our  All  fhould  be, 
Our  Righteoufnefs  and  Strength,  our  Stock  and  Store^ 
Our  Fund  for  Food,  and  Raiment,  Grace,  andGlore, 
It  makes  the  Creature  down  to  nothing  fall, 
Content  that  Chriji  alone  be  all  in  all. 

The  Plan  of  Grace  is  Faith's  delightful  View, 
With  which  it  clofes  both  as  Good  and  True, 
Unto  the  Truth,  the  Mind's  AJjent  is  full^ 
^Unto  the  Ggod  a  free  (onhnting  Will* 

The, 


Part  I.         The  Believers  hjpoujalsi  by 

The  Holy  Spirit  here  the  Agent  chief, 
Creates  this  Faith,  and  dafhes  Unbelief. 
■  That  very  God  who  calls  us  to  believe, 
The  very  Faith  he  feeks,  muft  alfo  give. 
Why  calls  he  then  ?  (fay  you)  pray,  Man  be  wife  5 
;  Why  did  he  call  dead  Lazarus  to  rife  ? 
Becaufe  the  Orders  in  their  Bofom  bear 
Almighty  Power  to  make  the  Carcafe  hear. 
i    But  Heaven  may  not  this  mighty  Power  difplay  I 
iMoft  true :  yet  ftill  thou  art  oblig'd  t'obey, 
But  God  is  not  at  all  oblig'd  to  ftretch 
His  faving  Arm  to  fuch  a  fmful  Wretch. 
All  who  within  Salvation-Rolls  have  place, 
Are  fav'd  by  a  Prerogative  of  Grace  : 
But  Veflels  all  that  fliall  with  Wrath  be  crammM* 
Are  by  an  A&  of  holy  JufHce  damn'd. 
Take  then,  dear  Soul,  as  from  a  friendly  Heart, 
The  Counfel  which  the  following  Lines  impart. 


SECT.    IV. 

\Jtn  Advice  to  Sinners  to  apply  to  the  Sovereign  Mercy 
of 'God \  as  it  is  dij cover  d  through  Christ,  to  the 
higheji  Honour  of  Jujlice  and  other  divine  Attri- 
butes, in  order  to  further  their  Faith  in  him  unts 
Salvation. 

GO,  Friend,  and  at  Jehovah's  Footftool  bow, 
Thou  know'ft  not  what  aSov'reignGodmay  do* 
Confefs,  if  he  commiferate  thy  cafe, 
'Twill  be  an  Act  of  powerful  Sov'reign  Grace. 
Sequeftrate  carefully  fome  folemn  Hours, 
To  fue  thy  grand  Concern  in  fecret  Bowers. 
Then  in  th'enfuing  Strain  to  God  impart, 
And  pour  into  his  Bofom  all  thy  Heart. 

"  O  glorious,  gracious,  powerful,  Sovereign  Lord, 
"  Thy  Help  unto  2  fmful  Worm  afford  ; 

F  2  "  "Wh# 


63        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

46  Who  from  my  wretched  Birth  to  this  fad  Horn 
(C  Have  frill  been  deftitute  of  Will  and  Power, 
"  To  clofe  with  glorious  Chrift\  yea  fill'd  with  fpite 
<c  At  thy  fair  Darling,  and  thy  Saints  Delight,   < 
c<  Refitting  all  his  Grace,  with  all  my  Might.       \ 
"  Come,  Lord,  and  fap  my  Enmity's  ftrong  Tower 
"  O  hafte  the  Marriage-Day,  the  Day  of  Power 
cc  That  fweetly  by  refiftlefs  Grace  inclin'd, 
€i  My  once  reluctant  be  a  willing  Mind. 
"  Thou  fpak'ft  to  Being,  every  Thing  we  fee, 
"  When  thy  Almighty  Will  faid,  Let  it  bey 
"  Nothings  to  Being  in  a  Moment  pafs, 
"  Let  there  be  Lights  thoufaidji,  and  fo  it  was. 
u  A  pow'rful  Word  like  this,    a  mighty  Call, 
**  Muft  fay,  let  there  be  Faith,  and  tnen  it  mall. 
"  Thou  feek'ft  my  Faith,  and  flight  from  Sin  &  Guilt 
M  Give  what  thou  feek'ft,  Lord,    then  feek  wha 

thou  wilt. 
"  What  Good  can  ifTue  from  a  Root  fo  ill, 
<c  This  Heart  of  mine's  a  wicked  Lump  of  Hell  > 
<c  'Twill  all  thy  common  Motions  ftill  refift, 
*'  Unlefs  with  fpecial  drawing  Virtue  Melt. 
<c  Thou  calls,  but  with  the  Call  thy  Powe*  convey;  1 
u  Command    me  to  believe,  and   I'll  obey,  > 

"  Nor  any  more  thy  gracious  Call    gainfay.'  - 

V  Command,  O  Lord,- effectually  command,     ~\ 
*'  And  grant  I  be    not  able  to  withftand, 
**  Thenpow'rlefs  I  will  ftretch  the  wither'dHand.  - 

"  I  to  thy  Favour  can    pretend  no  Claim, 
"  But  what  is  borrow'd  from  thy  glorious  Name 
"  Which  tho'  moft  juftly  thou  may'ft  glorify, 
■*  In  damning  fuch  a  guilty  Wretch  as  me, 
-<  A  Faggot  fitted  for  the  burning  Fire 
<c  Of  thine  incenfed  everlafting  Ire  : 
"  Yet,  Lord,  fince  now  I  hear  thy  glorious  Son,. 
w  In  favour  of  a  Race  that  was  undone, 

"Di 


Part  I.        The  Believers  Efpoufals.  69 

-"  Did  in  thy  Name,  by  thy  Authority, 
"  Once  to  the  full    ftern  Juftice  fatisfy  ; 
'  "  And  paid  more  glorious  Tribute  thereunto, 
"  "  Than  Hell  and  all  its  Torments  e'er  can  do.    "^ 
"  Since  my  Salvation  thro'  his  Blood  can  raife    >■ 
**  A  Revenue  to  Juftice'  higheft  Praife,  J , 

"  Higher  than  Rents,  which  Hell  for  ever  pays  : 
"  Thefe  to  tremendous  Juftice  never  bring 
"  A  Satisfaction  equal  and  condign. 
*c  But  Jesus  our  once  dying  God  performs 
"  Wh&t  never  could  by  ever-dying  Worms : 
*'  Since  thus  thy  threat'ning  Law  is  honour'd  more, 
"  Than  e'er  my  Sins  affronted  it  before  : 
8  Since  Juftice  ftern  may  greater  Glory  won, 
fi  By  juftifying  in  thy  darling  Son, 
<c  Than  by  condemning  even  the  Rebel  me  ;     • 
*c  To  this  Device  of  Wifdom,  lo  !  I  flee. 
*v  Let  Juftice,  Lord,  according  to  thy  Will, 
Be  glorified  with  Glory  great  and  full, 
Not  now  in  Hell,  where  Juftice'  petty  Pay 
I  Is  but  extorted  Parcels  minc'd  for  ay : 
"But  glorified  in  Christ,  who  down  has  told, 

The  total  Sum  at  once  in  liquid  Gold. 
>L'C  In  loweft  Hell  low  Praife  is  only  won, 
c  But  Juftice  has  the  higheft  in  thy  Son, 
i  The  Sun  of  Righteoufnefs  that  fet  in  Red, 
c  To  fhew  the  glorious  Morning  would  fucceed, 

In  him  then  fave  thou  me  from  Sin  and  Shame, 
*  And  to  the  higheft  glorify  thy  Name. 
"  Since  this  bright  Scene  thy  Glories  all  exprefs, 
And  Grace  as  Emprefs  reigns  thro'  Righteoufnefs  i 
1  Since  Mercy  fair  runs  in  a  crimfon  Flood, 
And  vents  through  Juftice  fatisfying  Blood  .* 
Not  only  then  for  Mercy's  fake  I  fue, 
But  for  the  Glory  of  thy  Juftice  too, 

F  3  <l  And. 


yo        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

*'  And  fince  each  Letter  of  thy  Name  divine, 
*c  Hes  in  fair  Jefus  Face  the  brighteft  Shine, 
*c  This  glorious  Husband  be  for  ever  mine. 

f*  On  this  ftrong  Argument  fo  fweet,  fo  bleft, 
<c  With  thy  Allowance,  Lord,  I  mud  infift. 
<c  Great  God,  fince  thou  allow'ft  unworthy  me, 
*'  To  make  thy  glorious  Name  my  humble  Plea  ; 
*e  No  Glory  worthy  of  it  wilt  thou  gain, 
<e  By  calling  me  into  the  burning  Main. 
*c  My  feeble  Back  can  never  fuit  the  Load,% 
*'  That  fpeaks  thy  Name  a  Sin-revenging  God. 
*c  Scarce  would  that  Name  feem  a  confuming  Fire, 
*'  Upon  a  Worm  unworthy  of  thine  Ire. 
**  But  fee  the  worthy  Lamb,  thy  chofen  Prieft, 
<c  With  Juftice'  Burning-Glafs  againft  his  Breaft, 
*'  Contracting  all  the  Beams  of  venging  Wrath, 
ci  As  in  their  Centre,  'till  he  burnt  to  Death. 
tc  Vengeance  can  never  be  fo  much  proclaim'd, 
<c  By  lcatter'd  Beams  among  the  Millions  damn'd, 
**■  Then,  Lord,  in  him  me  to  the  utmofl  fave, 
*'  And  thou  fhalt  Glory  to  the  higheft  have  : 
tl  Glory  to  Wifdom  that  contriv'd  fowell ! 
*f  Glory  tq  Power  that  bore  and  buried  Hell ! 
*'  Glory  to  Hdinefs  which  Sin  defae'd, 
*'  With  finlefs  Service  now  divinely  grae'd  ! 
<c  Glory  to  JuJIici  Sword  that  flaming  ftood, 
*'  Now  drunk  to  Pleafure  with  atoning  Blocd. 
<c  Glory  to  Truth  that  now  in  Scarlet  clad, 
<c  Has  feaPd  both  Threats  and  Promifes  with  Red. 
*'  Glory  to  Mercy  now  in  purple  Streams, 
*c  So  fwcetly  gliding  thro'  the  divine  Flames 
<4  Of  other  once  offended,  now  exalted  Names. 
*'  Each  Attribute  confpires  with  joint  Embrace, 
<c  To  fhew  its  fparkling  Rays  of  Jefus  Face  ; 
*'  And  thus  to  deck  the  Crown  of  matchlefs  Grace. 
**  But  to  thy  Name  in  Hell  ne'er  can  accrue 
c'-  The  thoufanclth  part  of  this  great  Revenue. 


iPart  I.         The  Believer's  Efpoufals.  Ji 


"  O  ravifhing  Contrivance  f  Light  that  blinds 
"  Cherubick  Gazers  and  Seraphick  Minds. 
'  They  pry  into  the  Deep,  and  love  to  learn, 
'  What  yet  fhould  vaftly  more  be  my  Concern. 
"  Lord,  once  my  Hope  moil:  reafonlefs  could  dream 
"  Of  Heav'n,  without  Regard  to  thy  great  Name  : 

But  here  is  laid  my  lafting  Hope,  to  found 
"  A  highly  rational,  a  divine  Ground. 
'Tis  reafonable,  I  expect  thou' It  take 
The  Way  that  moil  will  for  thine  Honour  make. 
Is  this  the  Plan  ?  Lord,  let  me  build  my  Claim 
To  Life,  on  this  higfy  Glory  of  thy  Name. 
Nor  let  my  faithlefs  Heart,  or  think,  or  fay, 
That  alll  this  Glory  fhall  be  thrown  away 
In  my  Perdition  ;  which  will  never  raife, 
*'  To  thy  great  Name  fo  vaft  a  Rent  of  Praife. 
*'  O  then  a  Rebel  into  Favour  take ; 
**  Lord,  fhield  and  fave  me  for  thy  Glory's  fake, 
*'  My  endlefs  Rum  is  not  worth  the  Coft, 
*c  That  fo  much  Glory  be  for  ever  loft. 
*'  I'll  of  the  greateft  Sinner  bear  the  Shame, 
"  To  bring  the  greateft  Honour  to  thy  Name. 
f  c  Small  Lofs,  tho'  I  fhould  perifh  endlefs  Days, 
"  But  thoufand  Pities  Grace  fhould  lofe  the  Praife, 
"  O  hear,  Jehovah,  get  the  Glory  then, 
"  And  to  my  Supplication  fay  Amen. 


SECT.     V. 

The  terrible  Doom  of  Unbelievers,  and  Rejeffors  of 
Christ,  or  Defpifers  of  the  GofpeL 

HTHUS,  Sinner,   into  J efus  Bofom  Ree, 

■*■     Then  there  is  Hope  in  Ifrael  fure  for  thee. 
Slight  not  the  Call,,  as  running  by  in  Rhime, 
Left  thou  repent  for  ay,  if  npt  in  Time. 

?Tis 


yi        GOSPEL   SONNETS, 

'Tis  moft  unlawful  to  contemn  and  fhun, 
All  wholfom  Counfels  that  in  Metre  run  ; 
Since  the  prime  Fountains  of  the  facred  Writ, 
Much  heavenly  Truth  in  holy  Rhimes  tranfmit : 
If  this  don't  pleafe,  yet  hence  it  is  no  Crime 
To  verfify  the  Word,    and  preach  in  Rhime. 
But  in  whatever  Mould  the  Doctrine  lies,  ~p 

Some  erring  Minds  will  Gofpel-Truth  defpife      ?- 
Without  Remede,  'till  Heav'n  anoint  their  Eyes.-* 
Thefe  Lines  pretend  no  conq'ring  Art  nor  Skill, 
But  fhew  in  weak  Attempts  a  ftrong  Good-will, 
To  mortify  all  native  legal  Pride, 
And  court  the  Lamb  of  God  a  Virgin-Bride. 
If  he  thy  Conjunct  Match  be  never  given, 
Thou'rt  doom'd  to  Kell,  as  fure  as  God's  in  Heaven, 
If  Gofpel-Grace  and  Goodnefs  don't  thee  draw, 
Thou  art  condemn'd  already  by  the  Law. 
Yea  hence  Damnation  deep  will  doubly  brace, 
If  ftill  thy  Heart  contemn  redeeming  Grace. 
No  Argument   from  Fear  or  Hope  will  move, 
Or  draw  thy  Heart,   if  not  the  Bond  of  Love  : 
Nor  flowing  Joys,  nor  flaming  Terrorg  chafe 
To  Chrift  the  Haven,  without  the  Gales  of  Grace, 
O  Slighter  then  of  Grace's  joyful  Sound, 
Thou'rt  over  to  the  wrathful  Ocean  bound. 
Anon  thou'lt  fink  into  the  Gulf  of  Woes, 
Whene'er  thy  wafting  Hours  are  at  a  Clofe. 
Thy  falfe  old  legal  Hope  will  then  be  loft, 
And   with  thy  wretched  S&ul  give  up  the  Ghoft. 
Then  farewel  (Wand  Chrifl^  and  Grace  and  Glore; 
Undone  thou  art,   undone  for  evermore. 
For  ever  finking  underneath  the  Load 
And  Prefl'ure  of  a  Sin-revenging  God. 
The  facred  awful  Text  afferts,    To  fall 
Jfito  his  living  Hands  is  fearful  Thrall^ 
JVhen  no  more  Sacrifice  for  Sin  remains^ 
Jut  everliving  Wrath  and  Jailing  Chains. 

Jieaven 


Part  I.       The  Believer's  Effoufals.  ^ 

Heaven  ftill  upholding  Life  in  dreadful  Death, 
Still  throwing  down  hot  Thunderbolts  of  Wrath, 
As  full  of  Terror,  and  as  manifold, 
As  finite  Veffels  of  his  Wrath  can  hold. 

Then,  then  we  may  fuppofe  the  Wretch  to  cry,^ 
<c  Oh,  if  this  damning  God  would  let  me  die,  > 
|  And  not  torment  me   to  Eternity  !  j 

ff:  Why  from  the  filent  Womb  of  ftupid  Earth, 
"  Did  Heav'n  awake,  and  pufh  me  into  Birth  ? 
"  Curft  be  the  Day  that  ever  gave  me  Life, 
"  Curft  be  the  cruel  Parents,  Man  and  Wife, 
|  Means  of  my  Being,  Inftruments  of  Woe, 
I  For  now  I'm  damn'd,  Pmdamn'd,  and  always  fo» 
"  Curft  be  the  Day  that  ever  made  me  hear 
x  The  Golpel-Call,  which  brought  Salvation  near. 
|  The  endlefs  Sound  of  flighted  Mercy's  Bell, 
f  Has  in  mine  Ears  the  moft  tormenting  Knell. 
F  Of  offer'd  Grace  I  vain  repent  the  Lofs, 
6  The  joyful  Sound  with  Horror  recognofce. 
c  The  hollow  Vault  reverberates  the  Sound,       ~> 
6  This  killing  Echo  ftrikes  the  deepeft  Wound,  $* 
'  And  with  too  late  Remorfe  does  now  confound.  3 
6  Into  the  Dungeon  of  Defpair  Fm  lock'd, 
c  Th'once  open  Door  of  Hope  for  ever  block'd  : 
'  Hopelefs,  I  fink  into  the  dark  Abyfs, 
Banifh'd  forever  from  eternal   Blifs, 
6  In  boiling  Waves  of  Vengeance  muft  I  lie  ? 
"  O  could  I  curfe  this  dreadful  GOD  and  die  ! 
■ '  Infinite  Years  in  Torment  (hall  I  fpend> 
*'  And  never,  never,  never  at  an  End. 
c  Ah !  muft  I  live  in  torturing  Defpair, 
t  i\s  many  Years  as  Atoms  in  the  Air. 
6  When  thefe  are  fpent,   as  many  Thoufands  more, 
"  As  Grains  of  Sand  that  croud  the  ebbing  Shore. 
4  When  thefe  are  done,  as  many  yet  behind, 
P  As  Leaves  of  Forefts  iliakea  with  the  Wind. . 

«  When 


*"74        GOSPEL     SONNETS. 

"  When  thefe  are  gone,  as  many  to  enfue, 

<c  As  Stems  of  Grafs  on  Hills  and  Dales  that  grew, 

*c  When  thefe  run  out,  as  many  on  the  March, 

<c  As  ftarry  Lamps  that  gild  the  fpangled  Arch. 

*c  When  thefe  expire,  as  many  Millions  more, 

**  As  Moments  in  the  Millions  paft  before. 

u  When  ail  thefe  doleful  Years  are  fpent  in  Pain, 

*c  And  rnultiply'd  by  Myriads  again. 

f|  'Till  Numbers  drown  {he  Thought ;    could  I  fup* 

"  pofe, 
<c  That  then  my  wretched  Years  were  at  a  Clofe, 
*'  This  would  afford  fome  Eafe  ;  but  ah  !  I  fhiver 
"  To  think  upon  the  dreadful  Sound,  For  ever. 
<c  The  burning  Gulf,  where  I  blafpheming  lie, 
*cIs  Time  no  more,  butvaft  Eternity. 
"The  growing  Torment  I  endure  for  Sin, 
*c  Thro'  Ages  all  is  always  to  begin. 
<c  How  did  I  but  a  Grain  of  Pleafure  fow, 
*f  To  reap  an  Harveft  of  immortal  Woe  ? 
*'  Bound  to  the  Bottom  of  the  burning  Main, 
*c  Gnawing  my  Chains,  I  wifh  for  Death  in  vain, 
cc  Juft  Doom  !  fmce  I  that  bare  th'eternal  Load, 
**  Contemn'd  the  Death  of  an  eternal  God. 
*'  Oh  if  the  God  that  curft  me  to  the  Lafh, 
<c  Would  blefs  me  back  to  Nothing  with  a  Dam  : 
*'  But  hopelefs  I  the  juft  Avenger  hate, 
*'  Blafpheme  the  wrathful  God,  and  curfe  my  Fate.'* 

To  thefe  this  Word  of  Terror  I  direct, 
Who  now  the  great  Salvation  dare  negleS  : 
To  all  the  C£r//?-defpifing  Multitude, 
That  trample  on  the  great  Redeemer's  Blood  ; 
That  fee  no  Beauty  in  his  glorious  Face, 
But  flight  his  Offers  and  refufe  his  Grace. 
A  MefTenger  of  Wrath  to  none  I  am, 
But  thofe  that  hate  to  wed  the  worthy  Lamb. 
For  tho'  the  fmalleft  Sins,  if  fmall  can  be, 
Will  plunge  the  Cbrijilefs  Soul  in  Mifery, 

Yet 


Part  I.  Tae  Believer**  Efpcufals,         75 

Yet  lo,  the  greater!  that  to  Mortals  cleave, 

Sha'nt  damn  the  Souls  in  J  ejus  that  believe  s 

Becaufe.  they  on  the  very  Method  fall, 

That  well  can  make  Amends  to  God  for  all, 

Whereas  proud  Souls  thro'  Unbelief  won't  let, 

The  glorious  God  a  Reparation  get 

Of  all  his  Honour,  in  his  darling  Son, 

For  all  the  great  Difhonours  they  have  done, 

A  faithlefs  Soul  the  glorious  God  bereaves. 

Of  all  the  Satisfaction  that  he  craves. 

Hence  under  diyine  hotteft.  Fury  lies, 

And  with  a  double  Vengeance  juftly  dies. 

The  blacked:  Part  of  lophet  is  their  Place, 

Who  flight  the  Tenders  of  redeeming  Grace., 

That  facrilegious  Monfter  Unbeliefs 

So  harden'd  'gainft  Remorfe  and  pious  Grief, 

Robs  God  of  all  the  Glory  of  his  Names, 

And  every  divine  Attribute  defames. 

It  loudly  calls  the  Truth  of  God  a  Lye, 

The  God  of  Truth  a  Lyar,  horrid  Cry  ! 

Doubts  and  denies  his  precious  Words  of  Grace* 

Spits  Venom  in  the  Royal  SuitGr*s  Face. 

This  Monfter  cannot  ceafe  all  Sin  to  hatch, 

Becaufe  it  proudly  mars  the  happy  Match. 

As  each  Law-wedded  Soul  is  joln'd  to  Sin, 

And  deftitute  of  Holinefs  within  ; 

So  all  that  wed  the  Law,  mult  wed  the  Curfe, 

Which  Rent  they  fcorn  to  pay  with  ChriJFs  full  Purfe. 

They  clear  may  read  their  dreadful  Doom  in  brief, 

Whofe  fefrer'd  Sore  is  final  Unbelief : 

Tho'  to  the  Law  their  Life  exactly  fram'd  y 

For  zealous  Acts  and  Paflions  too  were  fam'd,       >• 

Yet  lo  j  He  that  believes  not?  Jhali  be  damn'd.        3 

But  now  'tis  proper  on  the  other  Jide^ 

With  Words  of  Comfort  to  adefrejs  thg  Bride. 


76      GOSPEL  SONNETS. 

She  in  her  glorious  Hufband  does  pojfefs 
Adorning  Grace^  acquitting  Right eoufnefs  : 
And  hence  to  her  pertain  the  golden  Alines 
Of  Comfort  opend  in  the  following  Lines. 


r*r»T  7k**   rr+y*  ^*}*r.  ~***f 

mwrnmrn 


<qr  ^ 


GOSPEL 


GOSPEL  SONNETS, 

O  R, 

SPIRITUAL    SONGS. 


PART  II. 

<Tbe   Believer's  Jo i n t u r e  : 
O  B; 

fbe  POEM  continued  upon  Isaiah  iiv.  5* 
Thy  Maker  is  thy  Huiband. 

N.  B.  The  following  Lines  being  primarily  intended  for 
the  Ufe  and  Edification  of  pioujly  exercifed  Souh9 
and  efpecially  thofe  of  a  more  common  and  ordinary 
Capacity  j  the  Author  thought  fit ,  thro''  the  whole  of 
this  fee ond  Part  of  the  Book,  to  continue  as  in  the 
former  Editions,  to  repeat  that  Part  of  the  Texty 
Thy  Hufband  in  the  laft  Line  of  every  Verfe  ; 
becaufe  however  it  tended  to  limit  him;  and  reftrui 
his  Liberty  of  Words  in  the  Compojition  ;  yet  having 
ground  to  judge  that  this  appropriating  Compellation 
Jlill  re  fumed,  had  rendered  thefe  Lines  formerly  the 
more  favoury  to  fame  exercifed  Chrijtians,  to  whom 
the  Name  of  Christ  {particularly  as  their  Head 
ond  Hufband)  is  as  Ointment  poured  forth  :  He 
choft  ratk$r  tQ  fabjefi  himfelf  U  that  Refiricliony 

than 


7*        GOSPEL  SONNETS. 

•  than  to  withold  what  may  tend  to  the  Satisfac- 
tion and  Comfort  of  thofe  to  whom  Christ  is  all  in 
all ;  and  to  whom  his  Name,  as  their  Hufiand,  fo 
many  various  Ways  applied,  will  be  no  naufeous 
Repetition. 


. 


CHAP.     I. 

Containing  the  Privileges  of  the  Believer 
that  is  efpoufed  to  Christ  by  Faith  of 
Divine  Operation. 


SECT.    I. 

The  Believer's  per  feci  Beauty,  free  Acceptance, 
and  full  Security  ihro>  the  Imputation  of 'Christ's 
perfeel  Rlghteoufnefs,  tbo*  imparted  Grace  be 
tmperfecl. 

i. 

/""\  Happy  Soul,  ^Jehovah's  Bride. 
^^     The  Lamb's  beloved  Spoufe, 
Strong  Confolation's  flowing  Tide 
Thy  Hufband  thee  allows. 

2. 

In  thee,  tho'  like  thy  Father's  Race 

By  Nature  black  as  Hell ; 
Yet  now  fo  beautifyM  by  Grace, 

Thy  Hufband  loves  to  dwell. 

3- 
Fair  as  the  Moon  thy  Robes  appear, 

While  Graces  are  in  Drefs  : 
Clear  as  the  Sun,  while  found  to  wear 

Thy  Huiband's  Righteoufnefs, 


'art  II.         the  Believer's  Jointure.         79 

4- 
Thy  Moon-like  Graces  changing  much. 

Have  here  and  there  a  Spot : 

rhy  Sun-like  Glory  is  not  fuch, 

Thy  Hufband  changes  not. 

5- 
Thy  white  and  ruddy  Vefture  fair, 

Outvies  the  rofy  Leaf  5 
For  'mong  ten  thoufand  Beauties  rare^ 

Thy  Hufband  is  the  Chief. 

6. 
Cloth'd  with  the  Sun,  thy  Robes  of  LighS 

The  Morning  Rays  outfhine  ; 
The  Lamps  of  Heav'n  are  not  fo  bright, 

Thy  Hufband  decks  thee  fine, 

.  7- 

Tho'  hellifh  Smoke  thy  Duties  ftain,. 

And  Sin  deform  thee  quite : 
Thy  Surety's  Merit  makes  thee  clean,. 

Thy  Hufband's  Beauty  white. 

8. 
Thy  Pray'rs  and  Tears,  nor  pure,  nor  good# 

But  vile  and  Iothfom  feem  ; 
Yet  gain  by  dipping  in  his  Blood, 

Thy  Hufband's  high  Eileem. 

*>■ 
No  fear  thou  ftarve,  tho'  Wants  be  great> 

In  him  thou  art  "omplete  : 
Thy  hungry  Soul  may  hopeful  wait, 

Thy  Hufband  gives  thee  Meat. 

1  a. 
Thy  Money,  Merit,  Power,  and  Pelf, 

Were  fquander'd  by  thy  Fall  -s 
Yet  having  nothing  in  thy  felf, 
1  Thy  Huifcmd  is  thy  All. 


So        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

II. 

Law  Precepts,  Threats  may  both  befet 

To  crave    of  thee  their  Due  ; 
But  Juftice   for  thy  double   Debt, 

Thy   Hufband  did  purfue* 

12. 
Tho'  Juftice  ftern  as  much  belong, 

As   Mercy  to  a  God : 
Yet  Juftice  fufTer'd  here  no  Wrong, 

Thy  Hufband's  Back  was  broad. 

He  bore  the  Load  of  Wrath   alone. 
That  Mercy  might  take  vent ; 

Heav'n's  pointed  Arrows   all  upon 
Thy  Hufband's  Heart  were  fpent, 

14. 
No  partial  Pay  cou'd  Juftice  ftill, 

No  Farthing  was  retrenched  j 
Vengeance  exacted  all,  until 

Thy  Hufband  all  advanc'd. 

He  paid  in  liquid   golden  Red$ 

Each  Mite  the  Law  requir'd, 
'Till  with  a  loud  'Tis  finijhed, 

Thy  Hufband's  Breath  expir'd, 

16. 
No  Procefs  more  the  Law  can  tent  > 

Thou  ftand'ft  without  its  Verge, 
And  may'ft  at  Pleafure  now  prefent 

Thy  Hufband's  full  Difcharge. 

Though  new-contracted   Guilt   beget 

New  Fears  of  divine  Ire  ; 
Yet  fear  thou  not,  tho'  drown/d  in  Debt* 

Thy  Hufband  is  the  Payer, 


Part  II.        The  Believer's  Jointure.         8t 

1 8. 
God  might  in  Rigor  thee  indite 

Of  higheft  Crimes  and  Flaws  ; 
But  on  thy  Head  no  Curfe  can  light, 

Thy  Hufband  is  the  Caufe. 


SECT.    II. 

Ch  RisT  the  Believer's  Friend,  Prophet,  Priejl,  King^ 
Defence ',  Guide,  Guard,  Help  and  Healer, 

P%EAR  Soul,  when  all  the  human  Race 
Ip     Lay  welt'ring  in  their  Gore, 
Vaft  Numbers  in  that   difmal  Cafe 
Thy 'Hufband  patted,  o'er. 

2. 
Jut  pray,  why  did  he  Thoufands  pafs^ 

And  fet  his  Heart  on  thee  ? 
The  deep,  the  fearchlefs  Reafon  was, 

Thy  Hufband's  Love  is  free. 

3« 
rhe  Forms  of  Favour,  Names  of  Grace, 

And  Offices  of  Love1, 
|Ie    bears  for  thee ;  with  open  Face 

Thy  Hufband's    Kindnefs  prove; 

4- 
Gainft  Darknefs  black,  and  Error  blind, 
I  Thou  haft  a  Sun  and  Shield  ; 
ind  to  reveal  the  Father's  Mind, 
Thy  Hufband  Prophet  fczl'd. 

le  like  wife,   fo  procure  thy  Peace, 

And  fave   from  Sin's  Arreft, 
Lefts; n'd  himfelf  a  Sacrifice  ; 

Thy  Hufbarid  is  thy  Prieft, 

G  ^ 


82      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

6. 
And  that  he  might  thy  Will  fubject, 

And  (weeily  captive  bring, 
Thy  Sins  fubdue,  his  Throne  erect, 

Thy  Hufband  is  thy  King. 

7- 
Tho'  num'rous  and  aflaulting  Foes 

Thy  joyful  Peace  may  mar  ; 
And  thou  a  thoufand  Battles  lofe, 

Thy  Hufband  wins  the  War. 

8. 
Hell's  Forces  which  thy  Mind  appall, 

His  Arm  can  foon  difpatch  ; 
How  ftrong  foe'er,  yet  for  them  all 

Thy  Hufband's  more  than  Match. 

9- 
Tho'  fecret  Lufts  with  hid  Conteft, 

By  heavy  Groans  reveal'd, 

And  Devils  rage  ;  yet  do  their  heft, 

Thy  Hufband  keeps  the  Field. 

When  in  Defertion's  Evening  dark, 

Thy  Steps  are  apt  to  Aide, 
His  Conduct  feek,  his  Counfel  mark7 

Thy  Hufband  is  thy  Guide. 

1 1. 
In  Doubts,  renouncing  Self-conceit, 

His  Word  and  Spirit  prize, 
He  never  counfeli'd  wrong  as  yet, 

Thy  Hufband  is  fo  wife. 

12.  • 

When  weak,  thy  Refuge  feeft  at  hand* 

Yet  cannot  run  the  length  -, 
*Tis^  prefent  Power  to  underftand 

Thy  Hufbaad  is  thy  Strength, 


'[art  II.         The  Believers  Jointure.  '        Sj> 

When  ffcaking  Storms  annoy  the  Heart, 

His  Word  commands  a  Calm : 
When  bleeding  Wounds,  to  eafe  thy  Smart, 

Thy  Hufband's  Blood  is  Balm. 

>uft  Creatures,  nor  to  help  thy  Thrall, 

Nor  to  affkage  thy  Grief ; 
Ffe  Means,  but  look  beyond  them  all^ 

Thy  Hufband's  thy  Relief. 

:  Heav'n  prefcribe  a  bitter  Drug^ 

Fret  not  with  froward  Will  ;• 
[flis  Carriage  may  thy  Cure  prorogue^ 

Thy  Hufband  wants  not  Skill. 

16. 
^e  fees  the  Sore,  he  knows  the  Cure 

Will  molt  adapted  be ; 
Pis  then  moft  reafonable,  fure, 

Thy  Hufband  choofe  for  thee; 

_.  .  .  I7- 

nendfhip  is  in  his  Chaftifementsj 
And  Favour  in  his  Frowns ; 
hence  judge  not  then  in  heavy  Plaints5 
Thy  Hufband  thee  difowns. 

18. 

'he  deeper  his  fharp  Lancet  go 

In  ripping  up  thy  Wound, 
he  more  thy  Healing  fhall  unto 

Thy  Hufband's  Praife  redound* 


stci\ 


f    2 


84      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 
.      SECT.    III. 

Christ    the  Believer's  wonderful  Pbyjician,  and 
t  Wealthy  Friend, 

i. 
TZ^IND  Jesus  empties  whom    he'll  fill,- 
•"=-    Cafts  down  whom  he  will   raife  ; 
He  quickens  whom  he  ieems    to  kill, 
Thy  Hufband  thus  gets  Praife. 

2. 

When  awful  Rods  are  in  his  Hand, 

There's  Mercy  in  his  Mind  ; 
When  Clouds  upon  his  Brow  do  ftand. 

Thy  Hufband's  Heart  is  kind. 

|- 

In  various  Changes  to  and  fro, 

He'll  ever  conftant  prove  ; 
Nor  can  his  Kindnefs  come  and  go, 

Thy  Hufoand's  Name  is  LOVE. 

4» 

His  Friends  in  moft  aiHided  Lot, 

His  Favour  moll  have    felt ; 
For  when  they're  try'd  in  Furnace  hot, 
Thy  Hufband's  Bowels  melt. 

When  he  his  Bride,   or  wounds  or  heals, 

Heart- Kindnefs  does  him  move  ; 
And  wraps  in  Frowns  as  well  as  Smiles, 

Thy  Hufband's  lafting  Love. 

6. 
In's  Hand  no  Cure  could  ever  fail 

Tho'  of  a  hopeiefs  State  ; 
He   can    in  defp'rate  Cafes  heal* 

Thy  Hufband's  Art's  fo  great. 


i?art  II.         The  Believer's  Jointure.-  85 

7- 
The  Medicine  he  did  prepare, 
Can't   fail   to  work  for  good  ; 
l  D  Baifam  powerful,  precious,  rare, 
Thy  Hufband's  iacred  Blood  j 

8. 
Which  freely  from   his  broached  Breaft, 

Gufh'd  out  like  pent-up  Fire  ; 
His  Cures  are  beft,  his  Wages  haft, 

Thy  Hufband  takes  no  Hire. 

[  9- 

Thou  hail  no  Worth,  no  Might,  no  Good, 

His  Favour  to  procure  ; 
But  fee  his  Store,  his  Power,   his  Blood, 

Thy  Hufband's  never  poor. 
10. 
Himfelf  he  humbled  wondroufly, 

Once  to  the  loweft  Pitch, 
That  Bankrupts,  thro'  his  Poverty, 

Thy  Hufband  might  enrich. 

1 1. 

His  Treafure  is  more  excellent 

Than  Hills  of  Ophir  Gold  : 
In  telling  Store  were  Ages  fpent, 

Thy  Hufband's  can't  be  told. 

12. 

All  Things  that  fly  on  Wings  of  Fame, 

Compar'd  with  this  are  Drofs  ; 
For  fearchlefs  Riches  in  his  Name, 

Thy  Hufband  doth  engrofs. 

The  great  IMMANUEL,  God-Man, 

Includes  fuch  Store  divine  -, 
Ange::.  and  Saints   will  never  fcan 

Thy  Hufband's  golden  Mine. 

G  3  *4* 


36        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

i4. 

He's  full  of  Gr?xe  and  Truth  indeed, 

Of  Spirit,  Merit,  Might ; 
Of  all  the  Wealth  that  Bankrupts  need 

Thy  Hufband's  Heir  by  Right, 

Tho'  Heav'n's  his  Throne,  he  came  from  thencq 

To  feek  and  fave  the  Loft ; 
Whatever  be  the  van:  Expence 

Thy  Hufband's  at  the  Colt. 

16. 
Pleas'd  to  expend  each  Drop  of  B1oq4, 

That  nll'd  his  royal  Veins, 
He  frank  the  facred  Victim  flood, 

Thy  Hufband  fpar'd  no  Pains. 

.  lJ' 
His  Coft  immenfe  was  in  thy  Place, 

Thy  Freedom  coft  his  Thrall ; 

Thy  Glory  coft  him  deep  Difgrace, 

Thy  Hufband  paid  ^or  all. 


SECT.    IV. 

The  Believer's  Safety  under  the  Covert  ^/Christ', 
atoning  Blood  and  powerful  Inter  ceffion. 

I. 

WHEN  Heav'n  proclaim'dhotWar  and  Wrath, 
And  Sin  increas'd  the  Strife  ; 
By  rich  Obedience  unto  Death 
Thy  Hufband  bought  thy  Life. 

2. 

The  Charges  could  not  be  abridged, 

But  on  thefe  noble  Terms  ; 
Which  all  that  prize  arehugg'd  amidft 

rny  Hufband's  folded  Arms. 


'art  IL         The  Believer's  Jointure.  87 

3- 
When  Law  condemns,  and  Juftice  too 

To  Prifon  would  thee  hale  ; 
As  Sureties  kind  for  Bankrupts  do9 

Thy  Hufband  offers  Bail. 

4- 

God  on  thefe  Terms  is  reconcil'd, 

And  thou  his  Heart  haft  won  ; 
In  Chriji  thou  art  his  favour'd  Child,    - 

Thy  Hufband  is  his  Son. 

Vindictive  Wrath  is  whole  appeas'd, 

Thou  need'ft  not  then  be  mov'd  $ 
Jn  Jesus  always  he  }s  well  pleas1 dy 

Thy  Hufband's  his  Belov'd. 

6. 

What  can  be  laid  unto  thy  Charge, 

When  God  does  not  condemn  ? 
pills  of  Complaint  tho'  Foes  enlarge, 

Thy  Hufband  anfwers  them. 

7-     \ 

When  Fear  thy  guilty  Mind  confounds, 

Full  Comfort  this  may  yield  ; 
Thy  Ranfom-Bill  with  Blood  and  Wounds, 
Thy  Hufband  kind  has  feal'd. 

8. 
His  Promife  is  the  fair  Extract:, 

Thou  haft  at  hand  to  fhew  ; 
Stern  Juftice  can  no  more  exact, 

Thy  Hufband  paid  its  Due. 

9- 

No  Terms  he  left  thee  to  fulfil, 

No  Clog  to  mar  thy  Faith ; 
His  Bond  is  fign'd,  his  Latter- Will 

Thy  Hufband  feal'd  by  Death. 

19: 


88        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

10. 

The  great  Condition  of  the  Band 

Of  Promife  and  of  Blifs, 
Is  wrought  by  him,    and  brought   to  hand, 

Thy  Hufband's  Righteoufnefs. 

1 1. 
When  therefore  preft  in  Time  of  Need 

To  fue  the  promis'd  Good, 
Thou  haft  no   more  to  do    but  plead 

Thy  Hufband's  fealing  Blood. 

12. 
This   can  thee  more  to.  God  commend, 

And  cloudy  Wrath   difpel; 
Than  e'er  thy  Sinning   could  offend. 

Thy  Hufband  vanquifh'd  Hell. 

When  Vengeance  feems  for  broken  Laws 

To  light  on  thee  with   Dread  ; 
Xet  Chrift  be  Umpire  of  thy  Caule, 

Thy  Hufband  well  can  plead. 

14. 
He  pleads  his  Righteoufnefs,  that  brought 

All  Rents  the  Law  could  crave  ; 
Whate'er  its  Precepts,  Threat'nings,   fought, 

Thy  Hufband  fully  gave, 

-".  .         .  *5' 

Did  Holinefs  in  Precepts  ftand, 

And  for  Perfection   call, 
Juftice  in  Threat'nings  Death  demand, 
Thy  Hufband  gave  it  all. 

16,. 
His  Blood   the  fiery  Lav,    did  quench, 

Its  Summons  need  not  fear  ; 
Tho  'c  cite  thee  to  Heav'n's  awful  Bench, 

1  ny  Hufband's  at  the  Bar. 


'M 


Part  II.       The  Believer9 s  Jointure.  $9 

l7- 
This  Advocate    has  much  to  fay, 

His  Clients    need  not  fear  ; 
For  God  the  Father  hears  him  ay^ 

Thy  Hufband  hath  his  Ear. 

18. 
A  Caufe  fail'd  never  in  his  Hand, 

So  ftrong  his  Pleading  is  ; 
His  Father   grants   his  whole  Demand, 

Thy  Hufband's  Will   is  his. 

19. 
Hell  Forces   all  may  rendezvous, 

Accufers  may  combine; 
"? et   fear  thou  not,    who  art  his  Spoufe, 

Thy  Hufband's  Caufe  is  thine. 

20. 
By  folemn  Oath  JEHOVAH  did 

His  Priefthood  ratify  5 
Let  Earth  and  Hell  then  counterplead, 

Thy  Hufband  gains  the  Plea. 


SECT.   V. 

The  Believer's  Faith  and  Hope   encouraged  even 
in  the  darkeji  Nights  of  Defertion  and  Dlftrefs. 

1. 
*TpHE  cunning  Serpent  may  accufe^ 
■*■     But   never  fhall  fucceed  ; 
The  God  of  Peace  will  Satan    bruifey 
Thy  Hufband   broke  his  Head. 

2. 

Hell-Furies  threaten  to  devour, 

Like  Lions  robb'd  of  Whelps  : 
But,    lo  !    in  ev'ry  perilous  Flour, 

Tiiy  Hufband   always  helps. 


go        GOSPEL    SONNETS, 

3- 
That  feeble  Faith  may  never  fail, 

.  Thine  Advocate  has  pray'd  ; 
Tho'  winnowing  Tempefts  may  aflail, 
Thy  Hufband's  near  to  aid. 

n 

Tho*  grievous  Trials  grow  apace, 

And  put  thee  to  a  ftand  ; 
Thou  mayft  rejoice  in  every  Cafe, 

Thy  Hufband's  Help  at  hand. 

Truft,  tho'  when  in  Defertion  dark, 

No  twinkling  Star  by  Night, 
No  Ray  appear,  no  glimmering  Spark, 

Thy  Hufband  is  thy  Light. 

6. 
His  Beams  anon  the  Clouds  can  rent, 

And  thro'  the  Vapours  run  ; 
For  of  thy  brighteft  Firmament 

Thy  Hufband  is  the  Sun. 

?\ 
Without  the  Sun  who  mourning  goy 

And  fcarce  the  Way  can  find  ; 

He  brings  thro*  Paths  they  do  not  know^ 

Thy  Hufband  leads  the  Blind. 

8. 
^through  Fire  and  Water  he  with  Skill 

Brings  to  a  wealthy  Land,y 
Rude  Flames  and  roaring  Floods,  BE  STILL, 

Thy  Hufband  can  command. 

9' 

When  Sin  Diforders  heavy  brings, 

That  prefs  thy  Soul  with  Weight  ; 
Then  mind  how  many  crooked  things. 
Thy  Hufband  has  made  ftrait. 


Par^  II.       %he  Believer's  Jointure. 

IO. 

Still  look  to  him  with  longing  Eyes, 

Tho  both  thine  Eyes  mould  fail : 
Cry,  and  at  length,   tho'  not  thy  Cries, 

Thy  Husband  mail  prevail. 
1 1. 
Still  hope  for  Favour  at  his  Hand3 

Tho'  Favour  don't  appear ; 
When  Help  feems  moft  aloof  to  fland, 

Thy  Husband's  then  moil:  near. 

12. 

In  Cafes  hopelefs-like,  faint  Hopes 

May  fail,  and  Fears  annoy  ; 
But  moft  when  ftript  of  earthly  Props, 

Thy  Husband  thpu'lt  enjoy. 

If  Providence  the  Promife  thwart, 

And  yet  thy  humbled  Mind 
?Gainft  Hope  believes  in  Hope,  thou  ar$ 

Thy  Husband's  dearefi  Friend. 

Art  thou  a  Weakling  poor  and  faint, 

In  Jeopardy  each  Hour  ? 
Let  not  thy  Weaknefs  move  thy  Plaint, 

Thy  Husband  ha^s  the  Pow'r. 

15. 

Dread  not  the  Foes  that  foil'd  thee  long, 

Will  ruin  thee  at  length : 
When  thou  art  weak,  then  art  thou  ilrong3 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  Strength. 

16. 
When  Foes  are  mighty,  many  too, 

Don't  fear,  nor  quit  the  Field  ; 
'Tis  not  with  thee  they  have  to  do, 

Thy  Husband  is  thv  Shield. 


9* 


*7- 


52      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 


17- 
'Tis  hard  to  fight  againft  an  Hoft,  y 

Or  ftrive  againft  the  Stream  ; 
But  lo,  when   all  feems  to  be  loft, 

Thy  Hufband  will  redeem. 


SECT.     VI. 

Benefits  accruing  to  Believers  from  the  Offices,  Names, 
Natures,  and  Sufferings   of  Christ. 

i. 

ART  thou  by  Lufts   a  Captive  led, 
•**-  Which  breeds  thy  deepeft  Grief  ? 
To  ranfom  Captives  is  his  Trade, 
Thy  Hufband's  thy  Relief. 

2. 

His  precious  Name  is  Jesus,  why  ? 

Becaufe  he   faves  from  Sin ; 
Redemption-Right  he  wo'nt  deny, 

Thy  Hufband's  near  of  Kin. 

His  Wounds  have  fav'd  thee  once  from  Woes, 
His  Blood  from  Vengeance    fcreen'd  ; 

When  Heav'n  and  Earth  and  Hell  were  Foes, 
Thy  Hufband  was  a  Friend  : 

% 
And  will  thy  Captain  now  look  on, 

And  fee  thee  trampled  down  l 

When,  lo,  thy  Champion  has  the  Throne, 

Thy  Hufband   wears  the  Crown. 

5; 
Yield  not,  tho'  cunning  Satan  bribe, 

Or  like  a  Lion  rear  ; 
The  Lion  ftrong  of  Judab's  Tribe, 
Thy  Hufband's  to  the-fore. 

6, 


IpaIv-1  II.       The  Believer's  Jointure.  95 

6. 

And  that  he  never  will  f or  fake  y 

His  Credit  fair  he   pawned  ; 
In  hotted  Broils    then  Courage  take, 

Thy  Hufband's  at  thy  Hand. 

7- 
No  Storm  needs  drive  thee  to  a  Strait, 

Who  doit  his  Aid  invoke  ; 
Fierce  Winds  may  blow,  proud  Waves  may  beat| 

Thy  Hufband  is  thy  Rock* 

8. 
Renounce   thine   own  Ability, 

Lean  to  his   promis'd  Might  9 
The  Strength  of  If ra el  cannot  lye, 

Thy  Hufband's   Power  is  plight. 

9- 
An  awful  Truth  does  here   prefent, 

Whoever  think  it  odd  ; 
In  him    thou  art  omnipotent, 

Thy  Hufband  is  a  God. 

10. 
-JEHOVAH's  Strength   is  in  thy  Head, 

Which  Faith  may  boldly  fcan  ; 
God    in  thy  Nature    does  reiide, 

Thy  Hufband  is  a  Man. 

11. 
Thy  Flefh  is  his,  his  Spirit  thine  , 

And  that  you  both  are  one, 
One  Body,  Spirit,  Temple,  Vine, 

Thy  Hufband  deigns  to  own. 

12, 

Kind,  he  aflum'd  thy  Flefh  and  Blood, 

This  Union  to  purfue  ; 
^Vnd  without  Shame  his  Brotherhood, 

Thy  Hufband  dges  avow. 


94         GOSPEL    SONNETS;' 

13. 

He  bore  the  Crofs  thy  Crown  to  win^ 

His  Blood  he  freely  fpilt ; 
The  Holy-One  afluming  Sin, 

Thy  Hufband  bore  the  Guilt. 

Lo,  what  a  bleft  Exchange  is  this  \ 

What  Wifdom  mines  therein  ! 
That  thou  mighfjt  be  made  Righteoufnefs^ 

Thy  Hufband  was  made  Sin. . 

♦ 
"5- 
The  God  of  Joy  a  Man  of  Grief, 

Thy  Sorrows  to  difcufs  : 
Pure  Innocence  hang'd  as  a  Thief^ 
Thy  Hufband  iov'd  thee  thus. 

16. 
Bright  Beauty  had  his  Vifage  marr'd, 

His  comely  Form  abus'd  : 
True  Reft  was  from  all  Rtft  debarr'd^ 

Thy  Hufband's  Heel  was  bruis'd. 

The  God  of  Bleflings  was  a  Curfe, 

The  Lord  of  Lords  a  Drudge  : 
The  Heir  of  all  Things  poor  in  Purfe^ 

Thy  Hufband  did  not  grudge. 

18. 
The  Judge  of  all  condemned  was, 

The  God  immortal  flain  : 
No  Favour  in  thy  woful  Caufe, 

Thy  Hufband  did  obtain. 


sect. 


A  rt  II.         ?he  Believer's  Jointure.  95 


SECT.    VII. 

^HRISt'j  Sufferings  further  improv'd,  and  Believers 
called  to  live  by  Faith^  both  when  they  have  and 
want  fenfible  Influences. 

1. 

LOUD  Praifes  fing  without  Surceafe, 
To  him  that  frankly  came, 
\nd  gave  his  Soul  a  Sacrifice, 
Thy  Hufband  was  the  Lamb* 

2. 
What  waken'd  Vengeance  could  denounce, 

All  round  him  did  befet  5 
And  never  left  his  Soul  till  once 

Thy  Hufband  paid  the  Debt. 

%- 

And  tho'  new  Debt  thou  ftill  contract, 

And  run  in  deep  Arrears, 
Yet  all  thy  Burdens  on  his  Back, 

Thy  Husband  always  bears. 

Thy  Judge  will  ne'er  demand  of  thee 

Two  Payments  for  one  Debt ; 
Thee  with  one  Victim,  wholly  free 

Thy  Husband  kindly  fet. 

That  no  grim  Vengeance  might  thee  meet, 

Thy  Husband  met  with  all , 
And  that  thy  Soul  might  drink  the  Sweet, 

Thy  Husband  drank  the  Gall, 


o6        GOSPEL  SONNETS. 

6. 
Full  Breafts  of  Joy  he  loves  t*  extend, 

Like    to  a  kindly  Nurfe  ; 
And  that    thy  Blifs  migh*  full  be  gain'd, 

Thy  Hufband    was  a   Curfe. 

7- 
Thy  Sins  he  glued  unto  the  Treej 

His  Blood  this   Virtue   hath  ; 
For    that  thy  Heart   to  Sin    might  die, 

Thy  Hufband  fufrer'd  Death. 

8. 
To  purchafe  fully  all  thy  Good, 

All  Evil  him  befel; 
To  win  thy  Heav'n  with  Streams   of  Blood, 

Thy  Husband  quenched  Hell. 

That  this  kind  DAY'S-MAN  in  one  Band 

Might   God  and  Man  betroth. 
He  on  both  Parties   lays  his  Hand, 

Thy  Husband  pleafes  both. 

10. 

The  Blood  that  could  flern   Juftice  pleafe, 

And  Law-Demands  fulfil, 
Can  alfo  guilty  Confcience   eafe  ; 

Thy  Husband  clears  the   Bill. 

1 1. 

Thy   higheft  Glory  is  obtain'd^ 

By  his  Abafement  deep  ; 
And  that  thy  Tears   might  all  be  drain'd, 

Thy  Husband  chofe  to  weep. 

12. 

His  Bondage   all  thy  Freedom  bought, 

He  ftoop'd   fo  lowly  down  ; 
His  Grappling  all  thy  Grandeur  brought, 

Thy  Husband's  Crofs  thy  Cwwn. 


U* 


art  II.         The  Believer's  Jointure/       gy 

Tis  by  his  Shock  thy  Sceptre  fways, 

His  Warfare  ends  thy  Strife, 
[is  Poverty  thy  Wealth  conveys, 

Thy  Husband's  Death  thy  Life. 

H- 
)o  mortal  Damps   invade   thy  Heart, 

And  Deadnefs   feize  thee  fore  ? 
ilejoice  in  this,   that  Life  t'impart, 

Thy  Husband  has  in  ftore. 

ind  when  new  Life  imparted  feems 

Eftablifh'd  as  a  Rock  : 
ioait.  in  the  Fountain,  not  the  Streams, 
|  Thy  Husband  is  thy  Stock, 

1 6. 
lie  Streams  may  take  a  various  turn, 

The  Fountain  never  moves  : 
>afe  then  o'er  failing  Streams  to  mourn, 
!  Thy  Husband  thus  thee  proves. 

17- 

hat  glad  thou  may'fl:,  when  Drops  are. gone, 

Joy  in  the  fpacious  Sea  : 
Vhen  Incomes  fail,    then  flill  upon    - 
!  Thy  Husband  keep  thine  Eye* 

1.8. 

lut  can't  thou  look,  nor  moan  thy  Strait, 

So  dark's  the  difmal  Hour  ? 
7et  as  thou'rt  able,  cry,   and  wait 

Thy  Husband's  Day  of  Power. 

"ell  him,  though  Sin  prolong  the  Term, 

Yet  Love  can  fcarce  delay  : 
"hy  Want,  his  Promife,  all  affirm, 

Thy  Husband  muft.  not  flay. 

H  SECT, 


Q8      gospel   sonnets. 


SECT.   VIII. 

Christ  the  Believer's  enriching  Treafure. 
t. 

KIND  Jefus  lives  thy  Life  to  be, 
Who  mak'ft  him  thy  Refuge  : 
And  when  he  comes,  thou'lt  joy  to  fee, 
Thy  Husband  mall  be  Judge. 

.2. 
Should  pafUng  Troubles  thee  annoy, 

Without  within,  or  both, 
Since  endlefs  Life  thou'it  then  enjoy, 

Thy  Huiband  pledg'd  his  Truth. 

3: 

What  won\t  he,  e'en  in  time,  impart, 

That's  for  thy  real  good  ? 
He  pave  his  Love,  he  gave  his  Heart, 

Thy  Husband  gave  his  Blood. 

4- 
He  gives  himfe!f,  and  what  mould  more  ? 

What  can  he  then  refufe  ? 

If  this  vvon't  pleafe  thee,  ah  how  fore 

Thy  Husband  dofi  abufe  ! 

Earth's  Fruit,  Heav'n's  Dew  he  won't  deny, 

Whofe  Eyes  thy  Need  behold  : 
Nought  under  or  above  the  Sky, 

Thy  Husband  will  withhold. 

6. 
Doft  LofTes  grieve  ?   Since  all  is  thine* 

What  Lois  can  thee  befall  ? 
M  things  for  good  to  thee  combine 9 

Thy  Husband  grders  all. 


Part  II.         The  Believers  jointure*       '  c$ 

7- 
Thou'rt  not  put  off  with  barren  Leaves, 

Or  Dung  of  earthly  Pelf  ; 
More  Wealth  than  Reav'n  and  Earth  he  gives, 

Thy  Husband's  thine  himfelf. : 

8, 
Thou  haft  enough  to  May  thy  Plaint, 

Elfe  thou  compiam'il  of  Eafe  ; 
For  having  all,   don't  fpeak  of  want, 

Thy  Plus  band  may  fuffice. 

9\ 

From  this  thy  Store,  believing,  take 

Wealth  to  the  u.tmoft  pitch  : 
The  Gold  of  Opbir  cannot  make, 
Thy  Husband  makes  thee  rich. 

10. 

.Some,  flying  Gains  acquire  by  Pains, 

And  fome  by  plund'ring  Toil ; 
Such  Treafure  fades,  but  thine  remains, 
Thy  Husband's  cannot  fpoil. 


SECT.     IX. 

Christ  the  Believer's  Adorning  Garment 

i. 

'V'EA,  thou  exceJ'ft  In  rich  Attire, 
•*■       The  Lamp  that  lights  the  Globe  ; 
Thy  fparkling  Garment  Heav'ns  admire,    . 
Thy  Husband  is  thy  Robe. 

2. 

This  Raiment  never  waxes  old, 

'Tis  always  new  and  clean  : 
From  Summer  Heat,   and  Winter  Cold, 

Thy  Husband  can  thee  fkreen, 
H  2 


100        LrUSFl^.L,     £>  U  JN  IN  11  T  5. 

3- 
All  who  the  Name  of  Worthies  bore, 

Since  Adam  was  undreft, 
No  Worth  acquir'd,    but  as  they  wore 

Thy  Husband's   purple  Veft. 

4- 
This  Linnen  fine  can  beautify, 

The  Soul  with  Sin   begirt ; 

O  blefs  his  Name  that  e'er  on  thee 

Thy  Husband  fpread  his  Skirt. 

Are  Dunghills  deck'd  with  Flowery  Glore, 

Which  Solomo?t's  out- vie  ? 
Sure  thine  is  infinitely  more, 

Thy  Husband  decks   the  Sky. 

6. 

Thy  Hands  could  never  work  the  Drefs  ; 

By  Grace  alone  thou'rt  gay. 
Grace  vents  and  reigns,  through  Righteoufnefs, 

Thy  Husband's  bright  Array. 

To  (pin  thy  Robe  no  more  doft  need, 

Than  Lillies  toil  for  theirs  ; 
Out  of  his  Bowels  ev'ry  Thread, 

Thy  Husband  thine  prepares. 


SECT.    X. 

Christ   the  Believer's  fweet  Nourijhmenu 

i. 
HPHY  Food,  conform  to  thine  Aray„ 
**-      Is  heav'nly  and  divine  ; 
QnPaftures   green,  where  Angels  play, 
Thy  Husbaad  feeds  thee  fine. 


Part  II.       Tbe  Believer's  Jointure,  101 

r. 
Angelick   Food    may  make    thee  fair, 

And  look  with  chearful  Face  ; 
The  Bread  of  Life,  the  double  Share, 

Thy  Hufband' s   Love  and  Grace. 

3- 
What  can  he  give,  or  thou  defire, 

.  More  than  his    Fleih  and  Blood  ? 
Let  Angels  wonder,  Saints  admire, 
Thy  Hufband  is  thy  Food  ! 

.4- 
His  Flefh  the   Incarnation  bears. 

From  whence  thy  Feeding    flows  ; 

His   Blood   the  Satisfaction    clears, 

Thy  Hufband  both  bellows. 

Th'  incarnate  God  a  Sacrifice, 

To  turn  the  wrathful  Tide, 
Is  Food  for  Faith  -,  that  may  fuiKce 

Thy  Flufband's  guilty  Bride. 

6. 

This  ftrength'ning  Food    may  fit  and  fence, 

For  Work  and  War  to  come  ; 
'Till   through  the  Croud  fome  Moments  hence, 

Thy  Hufband   bring  thee  home, 

7v' 
Where  plenteous  Feaiting  will   fucceed 

To  fcanty  Feeding   here  : 
And  joyful  at  the  Table-head, 

Thy  Hufband  fair  appear. 

8. 

Then  Crumb,   to  Banquets  will  give  place, 

And  Drops  to  Rivers   new  : 
While  Heart  and  Eye  will  Face  to  Face 

Thy   Huiband  ever  view. 

H :*> ^uaw    ,- 


ioz      GOSPEL   SONNETS, 
CHAP.     II. 


Containing  the  Marks  and  Chara&Vs  of  the 
Believer  in  Christ,  together  with  fome 
farther  Privileges  and  Grounds  of  Comfort 
to  the  Saints. 


SECT.     I. 

Doubting  Believers  called  to  examine,  by  Marks  drawn 
from  their  Love  to  him  arid  his  Prefence,  their 
View  of  his  Glory,  and  their  being  emptied  of  Self 
Right eoufnefsj  &c. 

I. 

/^OOD  News  \  but  fays  the  drooping  Bride3 
A3     Ah  !  what's  all  this  to  me  ? 
Thou  doubt'rt.  thy  Right  when  Shadows  hide 
Thy  Husband's  Face  from  thee. 

2. 

Through  Sin  and  Guilt  thy  Spirit  faints, 

And  trembling  fears  thy  Fate  : 
But  harbour  not  thy  groundlefs  Plaints, 

Thy  Husband's  Advent  wait. 

3- 
Thou  fob'ft,  cc  O  were  I  fure  he's  mine, 

This  would  give  glad'ning  Eafe  ;" 
And  fay'ft,   though  Wants  and  Woes  combine, 

Thy  Husband  would  thee  pleafe. 

4< 
But  up3  and  down,  and  ieldom  clear, 

Inclos'd  with  helliih  Routs ; 
Yet  yield  thou  not,  nor  fofter  Fear, 


Part  IX.       "the  Believer's  Jointure.  103 

Thy  Cries  and  Tears  may  flighted  feem, 

And  barr'd  from  prefent  bale  ; 
Yet  blame  thyfeif,   but  never  dream, 

Thy  Husband's  ill  to  plea fe. 
6. 
Thy  jealous  unbelieving  Heart, 

Still  droops  and  knows  not  why  ; 
Then  prove  thyfeif,  to  eafe  thy  Smart, 

Thy  Husband  bids  thee  try. 

7- 
The  following  Queftions  put  to  thee, 

As  Scripture  Marks,  may  tell  . 
And  fnew,  whatever  thy  Failings  be, 

Thy  Husband  loves  thee  well. 

MARKS. 

RT  thou  content  when  he's  away  r 
Can  Earth  allay  thy  Pants  ? 
If  Confcience  witnefs,  won't  it  fay, 
Thy  Husband's  all  thou  wants  t 


A 


When  he  is  near  (though  in  a  Crofs) 

And  thee  with  Comfort  feeds  ; 
Doff,  thou  not  count  the  Earth  as  Drofs, 

Thy  Husband  all  thou  needs  ? 

I- 

In  Duties  art  thou  pleas'd  or  pain'd, 

When  far  he's  out  of  view  : 
And  finding  him,  think'ff.  all  regain'd, 

Thy  Hu^Dand  always  new  ? 

4. 
TJ'      m  once  thou  thought'lt,  while  Sinai  Mi& 

i  Darknefs  coinpafs'd  thee, 
Th m  waff  undone  ;   and  glorious  Chrift 
1  '"hy  Husband  ne'er  would  be. 


104        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

5- 
Yet  know' ft  thou  not  a  fairer  Place, 

Of  which    it  may  be  told, 
That  there  the    Glory  of  his  Grace 

Thy  Hufband  did  unfold  ? 

6. 
'Where  heavenly  Beams   inflam'd  thy  Soul, 

And  Love's  feraphick  Art, 
With  Hallelujahs    did   extol 

Thy  Hufband  in   thy  Heart. 

7- 
Could'ft  then  have  wifn'd  all  Adam's  Race 

Had  join'd   with  thee  to  gaze  ? 
That  viewing    fond  his  comely  Face, 

Thy  Hufband  might  get  Praife  ? 

8. 
Art  thou  disjoin'd  from  other  Lords  ? 

Divorc'd   from  fed'ral   Laws  ? 
While  with  moft  loving   Gofpel-Cords, 

Thy  Hufband  kindly  draws  ? 

9- 

A'nt   thou  enlighten'd  now,    to  fee 

Thy  Righteoufnefs   is  nought 

But  Rags  that  cannot  cove*  thee  ? 

Thy  Hufband   fo  has  taught. 

io. 
po'fl  fee  thy  bert  Performances 

Deferve   but  Hell    indeed  ? 
And  hence  art  led,  renouncing  thefe, 

Thy  Hufband's  Blood  to  plead  ? 

I  T. 

When  ftrengthen'd  boldly    to  addrefs 

That  gracious  Throne   of  his, 
J)ofi  find   thy  Strength  and  Rigjitcoafiw 

Thy  iiuxband  only  is  \ 


Part  II.       The  Believer's  Jointure,         lof 

12. 

Can'fl  thou  thy  moft  exalted  Frame 

Renounce,   as  withering  Grafs, 
And    firmly   hold -thine  only  Claim, 
v  Thy  Hufband's   Worthiness  ? 

13- 
Can'ft   pray  with  utmoff.   holy  *Pith, 

And    yet  renounce  thy  Good  ? 
And  warn  not  with  thy  Tears,  but  with 

Thy  Hufband's  precious  Blood  ? 

*  Vigor  or  Strength. 

SECT.    II. 

Believers  defcribed  from    their  Faith  atting  by  divine. 
Aid^  and  flying  quite  out  of  themf elves  to  Christ. 

/"*AN  nothing   lefs   thy  Conscience  eafe, 
^   And  pleafe  thy  Heart ;  no  lefs 
Than  that  which  Juflice  Satisfies, 
Thy  Hufband's  Righteoufnefs  ? 

,    2. 

Doft  fee  thy  Works   fo  ftain'd  with  Sin, 
That  thou   through  Grace   art  mov'd, 

To  feek  Acceptance  only  in 
Thy  Hufband,  the  Belov'd  ? 

3- 
Do'ft  thou  remind,    once  on  a-day 

Free  Grace  did  ftrengthen  thee, 
To  gift   thy  guilty  Soul  away, 
Thy  Hufband's  Bride    to  be  ? 

(.         .ft  thou   mind  the  Day  of  Power, 
erdn  he  broke    thy  Pride, 
ain  d  .       Heart  ?  O   happy  hour  ! 
I '...}  Hufband  caught  the  Bride!  •     - 


io6      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 
$< 

He  did  thy  Enmity  fubdue, 

Thy  Bondage  fad  recal, 
Made  thee  to  choofe,  and  clofe  purfue, 

Thy  Husband  as  thy  All. 

6. 
What  Reft,  and  Peace,  and  Joy  ei\(iidf 

Upon  this  noble  Choice  ?  - 
Thy  Heart  with  Flowers  of  Pleafure  ftrew'd, 

Thy  Husband  made  rejoice. 

7- 
Doft  knew  thou  ne  er  could'ft  him  embrace 

'Till  he  embrace^  thee  ? 
Nor  ever  fee  h\j&y-Jti\\  his  Face 

Thy  Husband  .open'd  free  ? 

m  8. 

And  findeft  to  trfis  very  Hour, 

That  this  is  ftill  the  Charm  ; 
Thou  can'ft  do  nothing,  'till  with  PowV 

Thy  Husband  fhew  his  Arm  ? 

9- 
Can'ft  thou  do  nought  by  Nature,  Art, 

Or  any  Strength  of  thine, 

Until  thy  wicked  fro  ward  Heart, 

Thy  Husband  (hall  incline  ? 

io. 
But  art  thou,  though  without  a  Wing 

Of  Power  aloft  to  flee, 
Yet  able  to  do  every  thing, 

Thy  Husband  ftrength'ning  thee  ? 

1 1. 
Doft  not  alone  at  Duties  fork, 

But  foreign  Aid  enjoy  ? 
And  ftill  in  every  piece  of  Work, 

Thy  Husb  and's  Strength  employ, 


it. 


Part  II.      fbe  Believer's  Jointure,  toy 

12. 

Thy  Motion  heav'nly  is  indeed, 

While  thou  by  Faith  doft  move ; 
And  ftill  in  ev'ry  time  of  need, 

Thy  Husband's  Grace  improve. 

13- 

No  common  natural  Faith  can  (hew. 

Its  divine  Brood  like  this  ; 
Whole  Objea,  Author,  Feeder  too, 

Thy  Husband  only  is. 

.14: 
Doft  thou  by  Faith  on  him  rely  ? 

On  him  not  on  thy  Faith  ? 
If  Faith  fhall  with  its  Object  vie, 

Thy  Huiband's  fet  beneath. 

Their  Hands  receiving  Faculty, 

Poor  Beggars  never  view  ; 
But  hold  the  royal  Gift  in  Eye, 

Thy  Hufband  fo  wilt  thou. 
16. 
Faith,  like  a  gazing  Eye,  ne'er  waits 

To  boaft  its  feeing  Powers  ; 
Its  ObjecT:  views,  itfelf  forgets, 

Thy  Hufband  it  adores. 

Vfc 

It  humbly  ftill  itfelf  denies, 

Nor  brags  its  Acls  at  all  5 
Deep  plung'd  into  its  Object  lies, 
Thy  Hufband  is  its  all. 

18. 
No  Strength  but  his  it  has,  and  vaunts, 

No  Store  but  his  can  mow  ; 
Kence  nothing  has,  yet  nothing  wants, 

Thy  Hufband  trains  it  fo. 


*o$       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

19. 
Faith,  of  its  own,  no  Might  can  fhew, 

Elfe  would  itfelf  deftroy  ; 
But  will  for  all  it    has  to  do, 

Thy  Hufband   ftill  employ. 

20. 
Self-Saviours  none   could  ever  be, 

By  Faith  or  Grace  of  theirs ; 
Their  fruitlefs  Toil  fo  high  that  flee, 

Thy  Husband's  Praife  impairs. 

21. 
The  feemingly  devouteft  Deed, 

That  would  with  fhamelefs  Brow, 
His  faving  Trade  take   o'er  his  head, 

Thy  Husband  won't  allow, 

22. 
Doft  therefore  thou  to  him  alone 

Commit  thy  finful  Soul  ? 
Knowing  of  thy  Salvation 

Thy  Husband  a  is  the  whole  ? 

SECT.    III. 

Believers  characlerifed  by  the  Objecls  and  Purity  of 
their  Defire,  Delight,  Joy,  Hatred  and  Love, 
difcovering  they  have  the  Spirit  of  Christ. 

1 . 
p\OST  thou  his  Spirit's  Conduft  wait  ? 
-"^     And  when  compar'd   to  this, 
All  worldly  Wifdom  under-rate  I 
Thy  Hufband  waits  to  blefs, 

2. 
Talc  ft  thou   his  Spirit  for  thy  Guide, 

Through    Baca's  Valley  dry, 
Whofe  Streams  of  Influences  glide 

Thy  Husbands   Garden  by  I 


Part  II.       *Fhe  Believer's  Jointure.  %o% 

In  digging  Wells   here  by  his  Power, 

Doff  find  it  not  in  vain  ? 
While  here  a  Drop,  and  there   a  Show'r, 

Thy  Hufoand  makes  to  rain  r 

4- 
Hence  doft  thou  through  each   weary  Cafe, 

From  Strength  to  Strength  go  on, 
From  Faith  to  Faith,  while  Grace  for  Grace, 

Thy  Husband  gives  anon  I 

5-      • 
The  good,  the  gracious  Work  begun, 

And  further'd  by  his  Strength, 
Shall  profp'rous,  tho'  with  Wreftling,  win 

Thy  Husband's^ Crown  at   length. 

6. 

Sin's  Power  and  Prefence  can'ft  thou  own,. 

Is  thy   moft  grievous  Smart, 
That  makes  thee  fob  and  weep  alone  £ 

Thy  Husband  knows  thy  Heart. 

7- 

Does  Love  to  him  make  thee  diftafte 

Thy  Lufts  with  all  their  Charms  ? 
And  moft  them  loath'ft,  when  moft  thou  haft 

Thy  Husband  in  thine  Arms  ? 

8. 
Are  Cords  of  Love  the  fweeteft  Ties, 

To  bind  thee   Duty-ways  ? 
And  beft  thou  ferv'ft,  when  moft  thou  'fines 

Thy  Husband's  beauteous  Rays  I 

9- 
Didft  ever  thou  thy  Pardon  read 

In  Tears  of  untold  Joy  ? 

When  Mercy  made    thy  Heart  to  bleed, 

Thy  Husband  was  not  coy. 


$io      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

IO. 

Do  Pardons  fweetly  melt  thy  Heart  ? 

And  moft  embitter  Sin  ? 
And  make  thee  long  with  Drofs  to  part, 

Thy  Hufband's  Throne  to  win  ? 

1 1. 

When  he  arifes  Lufts  to  kill, 

Corruptions  to  deftroy, 
Does  Ghdne(s  then  thy  Spirit  fill  ? 

Thy  Husband  is  thy  Joy. 

12. 
Doft  thou  his  Peribn  fair  embrace 

Beyond  his  Bleflings  all  ? 
Sure  then  thou  boldly  may 'ft  through  Grace 

Thy  Husband  J  ejus  call. 

What  Company  doft  thou  prefer  ? 

What  Friends  above  the  reft  ? 
Of  all  Relations  every  where, 

Thy  Husband  is  the  beft. 

14. 
Whom  in  the  Earth  or  Heaven  doll  thou 

Moft  ardently  defire  ? 
Is  Love's  afcending  Spark  unto 

'Yhy  Husband  fee  on  fire  ? 

**' 

Haft  thou  a  Hatred  to  his  Foes, 

And  doft  their  Courfe  decline  ? 
Lov'ft  tho;i  his  Saints,  and  dar'ft  fuppofe 
Thy  Husband's  Friends  are  thine  ? 
16. 
Doft  thou  their  Talk  and  Walk  efteem, 

When  moft  divinely  grave  ? 
And  favour'ft  beft  when  moft  they  feem 
Thy  Husband's  Sp'rit  to  have  ,? 

SECT* 


P  a  rt  II .       The  Believer's  Jointure.         lit 


SECT.     IV. 

Believers  in  Christ  affecl  his  Ccunfel,  Word,  Ordi» 
nances.    Appearances,  full  Enjoyment    in  Heav'n9 
and  Jive  et  Pre  fence  here. 
i. 

XTJ  HERE  go'ft  thou  firft  when  in  a  Strait* 

*  ▼       Or  when  with  Grief  oppreft  ? 
Flee'ft  thou  to  him  ?  O  happy  Gate, 

Thy  Hufband  is  thy -Reft. 

|; 

His  Counfel  feek'ft  thou  ftill  prepar'd, 

Nor  can' ft  without  him  live? 
Wifdom  to  guide,  and  Strength  to  guard. 

Thy  Hufband  hath  to  give. 

3- 
Can'ft  thou  produce  no  pleafant  Pawn, 

O  r  Token  of  his  Love  ? 
Won't  Signets,  Bracelets,  from  his  Hand 

Thy  Kufband's  Kindnefs  prove  ? 

4- 
Mind'ft  when  he  fent  his  healing  Word, 

Which  darting  from  on  high, 

Did  Light  and  Life,  and  Joy  afford  ? 

Thy  Hufband  then  was  nigh. 

Can'ft  thou  the  Promife  fweet  forget) 

He  dropt  into  thy  Heart  ? 
Such  gladning  Power,  and  Love  with  it, 

Thy  Hufband  did  impart. 

6. 
Doft  thou  affecT:  his  Dwelling-place, 

And  mak'ft  it  thy  Repair  ; 
Becaufe  thine  Eyes  have  ken  thro'  Grace, 

•  Thy  Hufbani's  Glory  there  ?  '      f, 


ii2       LrUbr^L     SONNETS, 

Doft    love  his  great  appearing  Day, 

And  thereon  mufe   with  Joy  ; 
When    dufky  Shades  will  flee  away, 

Thy  Husband  Death  deftroy  ? 

8. 
Doft  long  to  fee  his  glorious  Face 

Within  the  higher  Orb, 
Where  humid  Sorrows  lofing  Place, 

Thy  Husband's  Rays  abforb  ? 

9- 

Long' ft  to  be  free  of  every  Fault, 

To  bid  all  Sin  adieu  f 
And  mount   the  Hill,  where  glad  thou  fhalt 

Thy  Hufband's  Glory  view  ? 
io. 
Life  where  it  lives,  Love  where  it  loves, 

Will  moil  defire  to  be. 
Such  Love-ficlc  Longing  plainly  proves 

Thy  Hufband's  Love  to  thee. 

What  is  it  beft  can  eafe  thy  Plaint, 
Spread  Morning  o'er  thine  Ev'n  ? 

Is  his  Approach  thy  Heart's  Content, 
Thy  Hufband's  Prefence  Heav'n  ? 

12. 

And  when  deny'd  this  fweet  Relief, 

Ca.nft    thcu  afiert  full  well, 
His  Hiding  is  thy  greater!:  Grief, 

Thy  Hufband's  Abfence  Hell  ? 

Let    thy  Experieuce   be  dilclos'd  ;    . 

If  Confcience  anfwer    Yea 
To  all    the  Queries    here  propos'd, 

Thy  Hufband's  thine  for  ay. 


**■ 


Part  II.       The  Believer's  Jointure-,  113 

H- 
Pertain  thefe  Characters  to  thee  ? 

Then  Soul,  begin  and  praife 
His   glorious  worthy  Name,   for  he 

Thy  Husband    is  always. 

SECT.     V, 

The  true  Believer's  Humility,  Dependance,  Zeal9 
Growth,  Admiration  of  free  Grace,  and  Knowledge 
cf  Christ'*  Voice. 

\. 

"OErhaps  a  Saint  may  figh  and  fay^ 

-*-     "  I  fear  I'm  yet  to  learn 

"  Thefe  Marks  of  Marriage-Love,"  yet  ftay, 

Thy.  Husband's  Bowels  yearn. 
2. 
Tho'  Darknefs  may  thy  Light   obfcure, 

Aid  Storms  fur  mount  thy  Calms, 
Day  yield  to  Night,  and  thou  be  poor, 

Thy  Husband   yet  has  Alms. 

3- 
Doft   fee   thy  felf  an  empty  Brat, 

A  poor  unworthy  Thing  ? 
With  Heart  upon  the  Duft  laid  flat, 

Thy  Husband  there  does  reign. 

4- 
Art  in  thine  own  Efteem  a  Beaft, 

And  doft  thy  felf  abhor  ? 
The  more  thou  haft  of  Self -diftafte, 

Thy  Husband  *  loves  thee  more. 

Can  Hell  breed  no  fuch   wicked  Elf, 

As  thou  in  thine  own    fight  ? 
Thou'il  got  to   fee  thy  filthy  Self, 

Thy  Husband's  pureft  Light, 


ii4      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

6. 

Can'ft  find  no  Names  fo  black,  fo  vile, 
With  which  thou  would'fl  compare, 

But  call'ft  thy  felf  a  Lump  of  Hell  ? 
Thy  Hufband  calls  thee  fair. 

7- 
When  his  kind  Vifits  make  thee  fee, 

He's  precious,   thou  art  vile, 

Then  mark  the  Hand  of  God  with  thee, 

Thy  Hufband  gives  a  Smile. 

8. 
He  knows  what  Vifits  fuit  thy  State, 

And  tho'  moft  rare  they  be, 
It  fets  thee  well  on  him  to  wait, 

Thy  Hufband  waits  on  thee. 

9- 
Doft  fee  thou  art  both  poor  and  weak, 

And  he  both  full  and  ftrong  ? 
O  don't  his  kind  Delays  miftake, 

Thy  Hufband  comes  ere  long. 

10. 

Tho'  during  Sinai* s  ftormy  Day, 

Thou  dread'fl:  the  difmal  Blaft, 
And  fear'fl  thou  art  a  Caft-away, 

Thy  Hufband  comes  at  laft. 

1 1. 

The  glorious  Sun  will  rife  apace, 

And  fpread  his  healing  Wings, 
In  fparkling  Pomp  of  fov  reign  Grace, 

Thy  Hufband  Gladnefs  brings. 

12. 

Can'fl  thou,  whate'er  mould  come  of  thee, 

Yet  wifh  his  Zion  well, 
And  joy  in  her  Profperity  ? 

Thy  Hulband  loves  thy  Zeal, 


Part  II.     She  Believers  Jointure*  rig 

i3- 
Doft  thou  admire  his  Love  to  fome, 

Tho*  thou  moulds  never  mare  I 
Mercy  to  thee  will  alfo  come, 

Thy  Hufband  hath  to  fpare. 
14. 
Poor  Soul !  doft  grieve  for  Want  of  Grace, 

And  weep  for  want  of  Love, 
And  Jesus  feek'ft  ?  O  hopeful  Cafe, 

Thy  Hufband  lives  above. 

fat 
Regretting  much  thy  falling  fhort, 

Doft  after  more  afpire  ? 

There's  Hope  in  Ifrael  for  thy  Sort, 

Thy  Hufband's  thy  Defire. 

16. 
Art  thou  well-pleas'd  that  fov'reign  Grace, 

Through  Christ  exalted  be  ? 
This  Frame  denotes  no  hopelefs  Cafe, 

Thy  Hufband's  pleas' d  with  thee. 

17- 
Could'ft  love  to  be  the  Footftool  low, 

On  which  his  Throne  might  rife,  , 
Its  pompous  Grace  around  to  mow  ? 

Thy  Hufband  does  thee  prize. 

18. 
If  but  a  Glance  of  his  fair  Face* 

Can  chear  thee  more  than  Wine  ; 
Thou  in  his  loving  Heart  haft  place, 

Thy  Hufband  place  in  thine. 

19. 
Doft  make  his  Blood  thy  daily  Bath  ? 

His  Word  and  Oath  thy  Stay  ? 
His  Law  of  Love  thy  lightfome  Path  I 

Thy  Hufband  is  thy  Way. 

I  %  20* 


n6       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

20. 

All  Things  within  Earth's  fpacious  Womb, 

Doft  count    but  Lofs  and  Dung, 
For  one  fweet  Word  in   Seafon  from 

Thy  Hufband's  learned  Tongue  ? 

21. 

Skill  to  difcern  and  know  his  Vpice 

From  Words  of  Wit  and  Art, 
W'ill  clearly  prove  thou  art  his  Choice, 

Thy  Husband  thine  in  Heart. 

22. 

The  pompous  Words  that  Fops  admire, 

May  vagrant  Fancy  feaft  ; 
But  with  Seraphick  harmlefs  Fire,  . 

Thy  Husband's  burn  the  Breaft. 

SECT.     VI. 

True  Believers  are  willing  to  be  tried  and  examined. 
Comforts  arifing  to  them  from  Christ '5  ready 
Supply^  real  Sy??ipathy,  and  relieving  Names, 
fuiting  their  Needs. 

1. 

r>  OST  thou  upon  thy  trait'rous  Heart 
-*-^    Still  keep  a  jealous  Eye  ? 
Moft  willing   that  thine   inward  Part, 
Thy  Husband   ftriaiy  try  ? 

2. 
The  thieving  Croud  will  hate  the  Light, 

Left  ftol'n  Effeas  be  mown  : 
But  Truth    deiires  what's  wrong  or  right 

Thy  Husband  would  make  known. 

3- 
Doft  then  his  trying  Word    await, 

His  fearching  Do&rine  love  ? 

Fond,  left  thou  err  through  Self-Deceit, 

Thy  Husband  would  thee  prove  ? 


Part  II.       The  Believer's  Jointure.  u 

4- 
Doft  oft   thy  Mind  with  inward  Smart 

Bewail   thy  Unbelief  ? 
And  confcious  fue  from  Plagues  of  Heart, 

Thy  Husband  for  Relief  I 

5- 
"Why  doubt' ft   his  Love  ?  and  yet  behold 

With  him   thou  would'ft  not  part, 
For  Thoufand  Thoufand  Earths  of  Gold, 

Thy  Husband  has  thy  Heart, 

6. 
Tho'  Darknefs,  Deadnefs,    Unbelief, 

May  all  thy  Soul  attend  ; 
Light,  Life,   and  Faith's  mature  Relief, 

Thy  Husband  has  to  fend, 

7- 
Of  Wants  annoying,  why  complain  ? 

Supply  arifes  hence, 
What  Gifts   he   has  received  for  Men^ 

Thy  Husband  will  difpenfe. 

8. 
He  got  them  in's  exalted  State, 

For  Rebels  fuch  as    thou  ; 
All  then  that's  needful,  good,  or  great. 

Thy  Husband  will  allow. 

9- 
Thy  Wants  he  fees,  thy  Cries  he  hears ; 

And  marking   all  thy  Moans, 
He  in  his  Bottle  keeps  thy  Tears, 

Thy  Husband  notes  thy  Groans, 
io. 
All  thine  Infirmities   him  touch, 

They  flrike   his  feeling  Heart  j 
His  kindly  Sympathy  is  fuch, 

Thy  Husband  finds  the  Smart, 

I  3  ii 


ii8      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

II. 

Whatever  touches  thee,  affects 

The  Apple  of  his  Eye  ; 
Whatever  Harms  he  therefore  checks, 

Thy  Hufband's  Aid  is  nigh. 
12. 
If  Foes  are  fpar'd,  thy  Need  is  fuch, 

He  flays  them  but  in  part : 
He  can  do  all,  and  will  do  much, 

Thy  Hufband  acts  by  Art. 

13. 
He  often  for  the  faddeft  Hour 

Referves  the  fweeteft  Aid  : 
See  how  fuch  Banners  heretofore 

1  hy  Hufband  has  difplay'd. 

Mind  where  hevouched  his  Good-will, 

Sometimes  at  Hennon  *  Mount : 
In  Jordan  Land,  at  Mizar  Hill, 

Thy  Hufband  keeps  the  Count. 

At  fundry  Times,  and  divers  Ways, 

To  fuit  thy  various  Frames, 
Haft  feen,  like  rifmg  golden  Rays, 

Thy  Hufband's  various  Names. 
16. 
When  guilty  Confcience  ghaftly  ftar'd, 

Jehovqh  '"fjidkenu  f, 
The  Lord  thy  Righteoufnefs  appeared, 

Thy  Hufband  in  thy  View. 

When  in  thy  Straits  or  Wants  extreme, 

Kelp  fail'd  on  every  fide, 
Jehovah  Jireh  ||  was  his  Name, 

Thy  Husband  did  provide. 

18, 

*P/!  xlii,  6.     f  Jer,  xxiii.  6.    |  Gen,  xxu\  14, 


Part  II.      The  Believer9 s  Jointure.  .       119 

18. 
When  thy  long  abfent  Lord  didft  moan, 

And  to  his  Courts  repair  ; 
Then  was  Jehovah  *  Shammah  known, 

Thy  Hufband  prefent  there. 

When  thy  afTaulting  Foes  appear'd, 

In  Robes  of  Terror  clad, 
Jehovah  NlJJi  f  then  was  rear'd, 

Thy  Hufband's  Banner  fpread. 

20. 
When  Furies  arm'd  with  fright'ning  Guilt, 

Dun'd  War  without  Surceafe  \ 
Jehovah  Shalom  %  then  was  built, 

Thy  Hufband  fent  thee  Peace. 

21. 
When  thy  Difeafes  Death  proclaim'd, 

And  Creature-Balfams  fail'd, 
Jehovah  Rophi  ||  then  was  fam'd, 

Thy  Hufband  kindly  heal'd. 

22. 
Thus  as  thy  various  Needs  require, 

In  various  Modes  like  thefe, 
The  Help  that  fiiits  thy  Heart's  Defire, 

Thy  Hufband's  Name  conveys. 
23. 
To  th'  little  Flock  as  Cafes  vary, 

The  great  Jehovah  fhews 
Himfelf  a  littU.Sancluary  **, 

Thy  Hufband  gives  the  Views. 


1 4  SECT, 

*Ezek.  xlviii.  35.  fExod.  xvii.  15.     XJudg.  vi.  24, 
Exod,  xv,  26.     **  Exek,  xi,  16, 


120     GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

SECT.     VII. 

The  Believer's  Experience  of  Christ'*  comfortable 
Prefence^  or  of  former  Comfort s,  to  be  improved  for 
his  Encouragement  and  Support  under  Darknefs  and 
Hidings. 

i. 

F^OST  mind  the  Place,  the  Spot  of  Land, 
-*^  Where  Jesus  did  thee   meet? 
And  how  he  got  thy  Heart  and  Hand  ? 
Thy  Hufband  then  was  fweet. 
2. 
Dofl  mind  the  Garden,  Chamber,  Bank, 

A  Vale  of  Vifion  feem'd  ? 
Thy  Joy  was  full,  thy  Heart  was  frank, 
Thy   Hufband  much  efteem'd. 

3- 
Let  thy  Experience  fweet  declare, 

If  able  to  remind  ; 
A  Bochim  here,  a  Bethel  there, 

Thy  Hufband  made  thee  find. 

4- 
Was  fuch  a  Corner,  fuch  a  Place, 

A  Paradife  to  thee, 

A  Peniel,  where  Face  to   Face, 

Thy  Hufband   fair  didft  fee  \ 

5- 
There  did  he  clear  thy  cloudy  Caufe, 

Thy  Doubts  and  Fears  deftroy  ; 
And  on  thy  Spirit  feal'd   he  was, 

Thy  Hufband  with  great  Joy  ? 
6. 
Pould'n1  thou  have  faid  it  boldly  then, 

And  feal'd  it  with  thy  Blood  ? 
Yea  welcome  Death  with  pleafure,  when 

Thy  Hufband  by  thee  flood. 


Part  II.       *the.  Believer's  Jointure,  ixi 

7- 

That  Earth  again  fhould  thee  enfhare, 

O  how  thy  Heart  was  pain'd. 
For  all  its  fading  Glory   there, 
Thy  Hufband's  Beauty  ftain'd. 

8. 
The  Thoughts  of  living  more  in  Sin, 

Were  then  like  Hell  to  thee  ; 
The  Life  of  Heav'n  did  thus  begin, 

Thy  Hufband  fet  thee  free. 

9- 
Whate'er  thou  found'ft  him  at  thy  befl, 

He's  at  thy  wcrft    the  fame  ; 

And  in  his  Love  will  ever  rejl^ 

Thy   Hufband  holds  his  Claim. 

io. 
Let  Faith  thefe  Vifits  keep  in  Store, 

Tho'   Senfe  the  Pleafure  mifs  ; 
The    God  of  Bethel  as    before, 

Thy  Hufband  always  is. 

ii. 

In  meafuring  his  Approaches  kind, 

And  timing  his  Defcents  ; 
In  free  and  fov'reign  Ways  thou'lt  find 

Thy  Hufband  thee  prevents. 

12. 

Prefcribe  not  to  him  in  thy  Heart, 

He's  infinitely  wife. 
How  oft  he   throws  his  loving  Dart, 

Thy  Hufband  does  furprize. 

Perhaps   a  fudden  Gale  thee  blcft, 

While  walking  in  thy  Road  ; 
Or  on  a  Journey  e'er   thou  wift, 

Thy  Hufband  look'd  thee  broad, 

14- 


122       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

14. 

Thus  was  the  Eunuch  fam'd,  (his  Stage 

A  riding  on  the  Way, 
Ashe  revolv'd  the  facredPage,) 

Thy  Hufband's  happy  Prey. 

In  Hearing,  Reading,  Singing,  Pray'r, 

When  Darknefb  compafs'd  thee, 
Thou  found'ft  or  e'er  thou  waft  aware, 

Thy  Hufband's  Light'ning  free. 

16. 
Of  heav'nly  Gales  don't  meanly  think, 

For  tho'  thy  Soul  complains 
They're  but  a  fhort  and  paffing  Blink, 

Thy  Hufband's  Love  remains. 

Think  not,  tho*  Breezes  hafte  away, 

Thou  doft  his  Favour  lofe  ; 
But  learn  to  know  his  fovereign  Way, 

Thy  Hufband  comes  and  goes. 

18. 
Don't  fay  he's  gone  for  ever,  tho* 

His  Vifits  he  adjourn  ; 
For  yet  a  little  while,  and  lo 

Thy  Hufband  will  return. 

'9 
In  Worfnip  focial,  or  retir'd, 

Doil:  thou  his  Abfence  wail  ? 
Wait  at  his  Shore,  and  be  not  fear'd, 

Thy  Hufband's  Ship's  a-fail. 

20. 
Yea,  tho'  in  Duties  Senfe  may  mifs 

Thy  Soul's  beloved  one  ; 
Yet  do  not  faint,  for  never  is 
Thy  Hufband  wholly  gone. 

2U 


>art  II.       7be  Believer's  Jointure,         I2| 

21. 
Tho'  Satan,  Sin,  Earth,  Hell,  at  once, 

Wou'd  thee  of  Joy  bereave  ; 
Vlind  what  he  faid,  he  won't  renounce, 

Thy  Hufband  will  not  leave. 
22. 
Tho'  Foes  aflkil,  and  Friendftiip  fail, 

Thou  haft  a  Friend  at  Court ; 
The  Gates  of  Hell  fhall  ne'er  prevail, 

Thy  Hufband  is  thy  Fort. 


SECT.    VIII. 

Comfort  to  Believers  from  the  Stability  of  the  Pro* 
mife9  notwithjianding  heavy  Chajlifements  for  Sin, 
t, 
'T'AKE  well  howe'er  kind  Wifdom  may 
-*■       Difpofe  thy  prefent  Lot ; 
Tho'  Heaven  and  Earth  fhould  pafs  away, 
Thy  Hufband's  Love  will  not. 

2. 
All  needful  Help  he  will  afford, 

Thou  haft  his  Vow  and  Oath  ; 
And  once  to  violate  his  Word, 

Thy  Hufband  will  be  loth* 

3- 
To  Fire  and  Floods  with  thee  he'll  down, 

His  Promife  this  enfures, 
Whofe  Credit  cannot  burn  nor  drown, 

Thy  Hufband's  Truth  endures. 

4- 
Doft  thou  no  more  his  Word  believe, 

As  mortal  Man's  Forfooth  ? 
O  do  not  thus  his  Spirit  grieve, 

Thy  Hufband  is  the  Truth. 


124      GOSPEL  SONNETS. 

Tho*  thou  both  wicked  art  and  weak, 

His  Word  he'll  never  rue  ; 
Tho'  Heaven  and  Earth  fhould  blend  and  break, 

Thy  Hufband  will  be  true. 

6. 
Til  never  leave  thee    is  his    Vow  ; 

If  Truth  has  faid  the  Word, 
While  Truth  is  Truth,  this  Word  is  true, 

Thy  Hufband   is  the  Lord. 

7- 
Thy  Covenant  of  Duties  may 

Prove  daily  moft  unfure  : 
His  Covenant  of  Grace  for  ay, 

Thy  Hufband  does  fecure. 

8. 
Doft  thou  to  him  thy  Promife  break, 

And  fear  he  break  to  thee  ? 
Nay,  not  thy  thoufand  Crimes    can  make, 

Thy  Hufband  once  to  lye. 

9; 
He   vifit  will  thy  Sins  with  Strokes, 

And  lift  his  heavy  Hand  ; 
But  never  once  his   Word  revokes, 
Thy  Hufband's.  Truth  will  ftand. 

io. 
Then  dream  not  he  is  chang'd   in  Love, 

When  thou  art  chang'd  in  Frame  ; 
Thou  mayft  by  Turns  unnumber'd  move, 

Thy  Hufband's  ay  the  fame. 

ii. 

He   for  thy  Follies  may  thee  bind 

With  Cords  of  great  Diftrefs ; 
To  make  thee  moan  thy  Sins,  and  mind 

Thy  Hufband's  Holinefs. 

12, 


art  II.       The  Believer's  Jointure.         125 


12. 


\y  Wounds   he  makes   thee  feek  his  Cure, 

By  Frowns  his  Favour  prize  ; 
\y  Falls  affrighting  ftand  more  fure, 

Thy  Husband   is  fo  wife, 

13- 
>roud  Peter  in  the  Dirt  of  Vice 

Fell  down  exceeding  low  ; 
.lis  tow'ring  Pride    by  tumbling  thrice, 

Thy  Husband    cured  fo. 

14. 
Before  he  fuffer  Pride  that   fwells, 

He'll  drag  thee  through  the  Mire, 
Df  Sins,   Temptations,  little  Hells, 

Thy  Husband  faves  by  Fire. 

He  in  Affliction's  Mortar    may 

Squeefe   out  old  Adam's  Juice* 
'Till   thou  return  to  him,  and  fay, 

Thy  Hufband  is  thy  Choice. 
16. 
Fierce  Billows  may  thy  VefTel  tofs, 

And  Crofles  Curfes  feem  ; 
But  that  the  Curfe  has  fled  the  Crofs, 

Thy  Hufband  bids  thee  deem. 

Conclude  not  he  in  Wrath  difowns, 
When  Trouble   thee  furrounds  ; 

Thefe  are  his    favourable    Frowns^ 
Thy  Hufband's  healing  Wounds. 

18. 
Yea,  when  he  gives  the  deepeft  Lam, 

Love  leads  the  wounding  Hand : 
His  Stroke,  when  Sin  has  got  a  Da£b, 

Thy  Hulbaiid  wiU  remand, 


SECT. 


126       GOSPEL     SONNETS. 
SECT.     IX. 

Comfort  to  Believers,  in  Christ's  Relations,  in  hi 
dying  Love,  his  Glory  in  Heaven,  to  which  he  ivil 
lead  thtm  through  Death,  and  fupply  with  all  Ne- 
cejj dries  by  the  IVay. 

I. 

r*Ehold  the  Patrimony  broad, 
That  falls  to  thee  by  Line  ; 
In  him  thou  art  an  Heir  of  God, 
Thy  Hufband's  Father's  thine. 

2. 

He  is  of  Relatives  a  Store, 

Thy  Friend  will  help  in  Thrall ; 
Thy  Brother  much,  thy  Father  more, 

Thy  Husband  moft  of  all. 

3- 
All  thefe  he  does  amafs  and  mare, 

In  Ways  that  moft  excel : 
'Mong  all  the  Husbands  ever  were, 

Thy  Husband  bears  the  Bell. 

4- 
Whence  run  the  Streams  of  all  thy  Good, 

But  from  his  pierced  Side  ; 
W;ih  iiquid  Gold  of  precious  Blood, 

Thy  Husband  bought  his  Bride. 

5- 

His  Blood  abundant  Value  bo^« 

To  make  his  Purchafe  broad, 
'Twas  fair  Divinity  in 

Thy  Husband  is  thy 


Who  purchas'd  at  the  higher!:  Price, 
Be  crown'd  with  higheft  Praife  j 

For  in  the  higheft  Paradifc 
Thy  Husband  wears  the  Bays, 


le 

I 

lea 
T 


le 
h 


Part  II.       7*be  Believer's  Jointure,  ikj 

4- 
What  earthly  Thing  can  thee  arihoy  £ 

He  made  the  Earth  to  be  : 
The  Waters  cannot  thee  deftroy, 

Thy  Husband  made  the  Sea* 

Don't   fear  the  flaming  Element, 

Thee  hurt  with  burning  Ire  ; 
Or  that  the  fcorching  Heat  torment* 

Thy  Husband  made  the  Fire. 

6. 
Infectious  Steams  fhall  ne'er  deftroy* 

While  he  is  pleas'd  to  fpare  ; 
Thou  fhalt  thy  vital  Breath  enjoy. 

Thy  Husband  made  the  Air. 

7. 
The  Sun  that  guides  the  golden  Day* 

The  Moon  that  rules  the  Night, 
The  ftarry  Frame,  the  Milky- way  ? 

Thy  Hufband  made  for  Light, 

*.  8- 

The  Bird  that  wings  its  airy  Path, 

^  The  Fifh  that  cuts  the  Flood, 

The  creeping  Croud  that  fwarms  beneath, 

Thy  Hufband  made  for  good. 

9. 
The  grazing  Herd,  the  Beafts  of  Prey* 

The  Creatures  great  and  fmall, 
For   thy  Behoof  their  Tribute  pay, 

Thy  Hufband  made  them  all. 
1*0. 
Thine's  Paul,  Apollos,  Life  and  Death* 

Things  prefent,  Things  to  be. 
And  every  Thing  that  Being  hath* 

Thy  Husband  made  for  thee* 

K 


i3o       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

n. 

In  Tophct  of  the  Damn'd's  Refort, 

Thy  Soul  fhall  never  dwell  ; 
Nor  needs  from  thence  imagine  Hurt, 

Thy  Hufband  formed  Hell. 

12. 

Satan  with  Inftruments  of  his 

May  rage,  yet  dread  no  evil ', 
So  far  as  he  a  Creature  is, 

Thy  Hulband  made  the  Devil. 

His  black  Temptations  may  aiRict, 

His  fiery  Darts  annoy  ; 
But  all  his  Works,  and  hellifh  Trick, 

Thy  Hufband  will  deftroy. 

14. 
Let  Armies  ftrong  of  earthly  Gods, 

Combine  with  hellifh  Ghofts, 
They  live,  or  languifh,  at  his  Nods  ; 

Thy  Hufband's  Lord  of  Hofts. 

What  can  thee  hurt,  whom  dofr.  thou  fear  ? 

Ail  Things  are  at  his  Call. 
Thy  Maker  Is  thy  Hulband  dear, 

Thy  Hulband  All  in  All. 

16, 
What  dofr.  thou  feek,  what  dofl  thou  want  ? 

He'll  thy  Delires  fulfil ; 
He  gave  himfelf,  what  won't  he  grant  ? 

Thy  Hufband's  at  thy  Will. 

The  more  thou  dofl:  of  him  defire, 

The  more  he  loves  to  give : 
High  let  thv  mounting  Aims  aip;re, 

Thy  Hufband  gives  thee  leave. 


Fart  II,       The  Believers  Jointure*         131 
18. 

The  lefs  thou  feck' ft,  the  lefs  thou  dofr. 

His  'Bounty  fet  on  high  ; 
But  higheft  Seekers  here  do  moft 

Thy  Hufband  glorify. 

19. 
Wouldft  thou  have  Grace,  well ;  but  'tis  meet 

He  fhould  more  Glory  gain  ; 
Wouldit  thou  have  Father,  Son,  and  Sp'rit, 

Thy  Hufband  fays,  Amen. 

20. 
He'll  kindly  a&  the  liberal  God, 

Devifing  liberal  Things  y 
With  royal  Gifts  his  Subjects  load, 

Thy  Hufband's  King  of  Kings. 

21. 

N"o  earthly  Monarchs  have  fiich  Store, 

As  thou  haft  even  in  hand  ; 
But  O  how  infinitely  more, 

Thy  Husband  gives  on  Band. 

:  22; 
rhou  haft  indeed  the  better  Part, 

The  Part  will  fail  thee  never  : 
Dry  Husband's  Hand,  thy  Husband's  Heart, 

Thy  Husband's  All  for  ever. 

The  END  of  the  P^O  E  M  upon  Ifa.  U\r,  5, 


K  2 


GOSPEL  SONNETS 

O  R, 
SPIRITUAL    SONGS. 


PART   IIL 


The  Believer's   Riddle* 

O  R, 
The  MTSTERT  of  FAITH. 


The   PREFACE, 

Shewing  the  Ufe  and  Defign  of  the  Riddle, 


KEaDer,  the  following  Enigmatic k  Song 
Does  net  to  wifejl  Naturalijls  belong : 
Iheir  Wijdom  Is  but  Folly  on  this  Head, 
*Th&y  here  may  ruminate,  but  cannot  read. 
For  tho9   they  glance  the  Words,  the  Meaning  chokd* 
They  read  the  Lines,  but  not  the  Paradox. 
The  Subjecl  will,    howeyer    the  Phrafe  be  blunt9 
Their  mojl  acute  Intelligence  furmount> 
Jf  with  their  natural  and  acquired  Sight y 
They  Jhare  no  divine  evangelick    Light. 

Great ffits  may  roufe  their  Fancies,  rack  their  Brains^ 
And  after  all  their  Labour  hfe  their  Paim; 

licit 


Part  III.        "The  Believer's  Riddle.         133 

Their  wife/?  Comments  were  but  witlefs  Chat, 
Unapt  to  frame  an  Explication  pat. 
No  unregenerate  Mortal's  beji  Engines , 
Can  right  unriddle  thefe  few  rugged  Lines  5 
Nor  any  proper  Notions  thereof  reach, 
Tho'  fublimated  to  the   higheft  Stretch. 
Maflers  of  Reafon,  plodding-  Men  of  Senfe, 
Whofcorn  to  mortify  their  vain  Pretence, 
In  this  myfterious  Deep   might  plod  their  Filly 
ft  overtops  the  Top  of  all  their  Skill. 
The  more  they  vainly  huff,  and  [corn  to  read, 
■  The  more  it  does  their  foolijh  Wit  exceed. 

Thefe  Sinners  that  are  fanllify'd  in  party 
May  read  this  Riddle  truly  in  their  Heart. 
\Cea,  weakeft  Saints  may  feel  its  truejl  Senfe, 
Both  in  their  fad  and  fweet  Experience. 
Don't    overlook  it  with  a  rambling  View, 
And  rajhfuppoje  it,  neither  good  nor  true. 
\M  Heart  n's pure  Oracles  the  Truth  decide, 
denounce  it,  if  it  can't  that  Tefl  abide. 
Noble  Bereans  foon  the  Senfe  may  hit, 
Who  found  the  divine  Depth  of  f acred  Writ, 
Not  by  what  airy   carnal  Reafon  faith, 
\lut  by  the  golden  Line  of  Heart n-fpun  Faith. 
^  Let  not  the  naughty  Phrafe  make  you  difprove 
he  weighty  Matter  zvhich  deferves  your  Love. 
Ijgh  Strains  would fipoil  the  Riddle's  grand  Intent, 
"0  teach  the  weakefl,  mofl  illiterate  Saint, 
%at  Mahanaim  is  his  proper  Name  ; 
2  whom  twoflruggling  Hofls  make  bloody  Game, 
hat  fueh  ?nay  know,  whofe  Knowledge   is  but  rude9 
low  Good  confifls  with  HI,  and  III  with  Good, 
hat  Saints  be  neither  at  their  worfl  nor  befl, 
00  much  exalted,  or  too  much  deprejl. 
This.  Par odox  is  fitted  to  difclofe 
%  Skill  of  Zion's  Friends  above  her  Foesi 

k3  « 


334      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

To  difference  by  Light  that  Heav'n  tranfmits 
So?ne  happy  Fools  from  miferable  Wits. 
And  thus  (if  befl)  it  may  in  fome  Degree 
Make  Fools  their  Wit,  and  Wits  their  Folly  fee \ 
Slight  not  the  Riddle  then  like  J argon  vile, 
Becaufe  not  garnifh'd  with  a  pompous  Stile. 
Could  th'  Author  acl  the  hfty  Poet's  Part, 
JVho  make  their  Sonnets  foar  on  Wings  of  Art, 
He  on  this  Theme  had  bluff  d  to  ufe  his  Skill, 
And  either  dipt  his  Wings,  or  broke  his  ®)uill. 

Why  this  Enigma  climbs  fuch  divine  Height j. 
As  fcorn  to  be  adorn }d  with  human  Flights. 
Thefe  gaudy  Strains  would  lovely  Truth  difgrace^ 
Its  purefl  Paint  deforms  a  comely  Face. 
Hcavn's  Myjleries  are  above  Art ' s  Ornament^ 
Immenfely  brighter  than  its  brightefl  Paint. 
No  tovS  ring  Literature  could  e'er  outwit 
Ihe  plainejl  Diclion  fetch' d from  facred  Writ  \ 
By  which  ?neer  blazing  Rhetorick  is  outdone. 
As  tzvinkling  Stars  are  by  the  radiant  Sun. 
The  faring  Orators,  who  can  with  Fafe 
Strain  the  Quinteffence  of  Hyperboles, 
And  clothe  the  barejl  Theme  with  purejl  Drefs, 
Might  here  expatiate  much,  yet  fay  the  left. 
If  wi   th'  Majeftical  Simplicity 
Of  Scripture  Orat'ry  they  difagree, 

Thefe  Lines  pretend  not  to  affecl  the  Sky, 
Content  among  inglorious  Shades  to  lie, 
Provided  facred  Truth  be  fitly  clad, 
Or  glorious  jhine  even  thro'  the  dufky  Shade. 
Mark  then,  thoy  you  fhould  mifs  the  gilded  Strain^ 
If  they  a  Store  of  golden  Truth  contain  : 
Nor  under- rate  a  Jewel  rare  and  prune, 
Tho   ivrapt  np  in  the  Rags  of  homely  Rhime. 

Thf  haughty  Deifh  hardly  floop  to  fay, 
That  Nature's  Night  has  need  of  Scripture-Day  ; 


Part  III.       The  Believer's  Riddle.  135 

Yet  Gofpel-Light  alone  will  clearly  Jhew, 
How  ev'ry  Sentence  here  is  jujl  and  true, 
Expel  the  Shades  that  may  the  Mind  involve , 
And  foon  the  feeming  Contradiction  folve. 
All  fatal  Errors  in  the  World  proceed 
From  Want  of  Skill  fuch  Myji cries  to  read. 
Vain  Men  the  double  Branch  of  Truth  divide, 
Hold  by  the  one,  and  flight  the  other  Side. 

Hence  proud  Arminians  cannot  reconcile 
Freedom  of  Grace  with  Freedom  cf  the  Will. 
The  blinded Papift  won't  difcern  nor  fee ; 
How  Works  are  good,  unlefs  they  jii/Ufy, 
Thus  Legalifts  dijlingnifh  not  the  Odds, 
Between  their  home-bred  Right eoufnefs  and  God's. 
Antinomifts  the  Saints  Perfection  plead, 
Nor  duly  fever  'tween  them  and  their  Head. 
Socinians  won't  thefe  feeming  Odds  agree, 
How  Heav'n  is  bought  and  yet  Salvation  free. 
Bold  Arians  hate  to  reconcile  or  fan, 
How  Christ  is  truly  God,  and  truly  Man. 
Holding  the  one  part  of  ImmanueFs  Name, 
The  other  part  outrageoufy  blafpheme. 
The  Sound  in  Faith  no  part  of  Truth  controulx 
Hereticks  own  the  half,  but  not  the  whole. 

Keep  then  the  facred  Myft'ry  Jlill  entire, 
7o  both  the  Sides  of  Truth  due  Favour  bear, 
Not  quitting  one,  to  hold  the  other  Branch  ; 
Butpaffing  Judgment  on  an  equal  Bench. 
The  Riddle  has  two  Feet,  and  were  but  one 
Cut  off,  Truth  falling  to  the  ground  were  gone. 
9 7 is  all  a  Contradiction,  yet  all  true, 
And  happy  Truth,  if  verify' d  in  you. 
Go  forward  then  to  read  the  Lines,  but  Jlay 
To  read  the  Riddle  alfo  by  the  Way. 

*  The 


i36       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 


The   RIDDLE. 


SECT.    I. 

7he  Myflery  of  the  Saints  Pedigree,  and  efpecially  of 
their  Relation  to  Christ^  wonderful  P erf  on . 

i. 
7V/TY  Life's  a  Maze  of  feeming  Traps, 
«*■*-*•  A  Scene  of  Mercies  and  Miflups"  -% 
A  Heap  of  jarring  To-and-froes, 
A   Field  of  Joys,  a  Flood  of  Woes. 

2.  . 

I'm  in  mine  own,  and  others  Eyes, 
A  Labyrinth  of  Myfteries. 
I'm  fomething  that  from  nothing  came, 
Yet  fure  it  is  I  nothing  am. 

Once  was  I  dead,  and  blind,  and  lame, 
Yea   I  continue   #ill  the  fame  , 
Yet  what  I  was,  I  am  no  more* 
Nor  ever  {hall  be  as  before. 

4- 
My  Father  lives,  my  Father's  gone, 

My  vital  Head  both  loft  and  won. 

My  Parents  cruel  are  and  kind, 

Of  one,  and  of  a  different  Mind. 

My  Father  poifon'd  me  to  Death, 
My  Mother's  Hand  will  flop  my  Breat- 
her Womb  that  once  my  Subftance  gave, 
Will  very  quickly  be  my  Grave. 


Part  III.        The' Believer's  Riddle. 

6. 
My  Sifters  all   my  Flefh  will  eat, 
My  Brethren   tread  me  under  Feet; 
My  neareft  Friends  are  moft  unkind, 
My  greateft  Foe's  my  greater!:  Friend. 


.7-  . 
He  could  from  Feud  to  Friendmip  pafs. 
Yet  never  change  from  what  he  was* 
He  is  my  Father,  he  alone, 
.  Who  is  my  Father's  only  Son, 

8. 

I  am  his  Mother's  Son,  yet  mote, 
A  Son  his  Mother  neyer  bore  : 
But  born  of  him,  and  yet  aver 
His  Father's  Sons  my  Mother  were. 

9- 
I  am  divorc'd,  yet  married  ftill, 

With  full  Confent,  againft  my  Will* 

My  Husband  prefent  is,  yet  gone. 

We  differ  much,  yet  ftill  are  one. 

10. 

He  is  the  Firft,  the  Laft,  the  AH* 
Yet  numoer'd  up  with  Infects  fmall. 
The  firft  of  all  Things,  yet  alone 
The  fecond  of  the  great  Three-One, 

zi. 

A  Creature  never  could  he  be, 
Yet  is  a  Creature  ftrange   I  fee  \ 
And  own  this  uncreated  one, 
The  Son  of  Man,  yet  no  Man's  Son. 

•  lz- 

He's  omniprefent   all  may  knows 
Yet  nev  r   could   be  wholly  fo. 
His  Manhood  is  not   here  and  there3 
Yet  iic  is  God-man  every  where, 


13S      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

He  comes  and  goes,  none  can  him  trace, 
Yet  never  could  he  change  his  Place. 
But  tho'  he's  good,  and  every  where. 
No  Good's  in  Hell,  yet  he  is  there. 

I  by  him,  in  him  chofen  was/ 
Yet  of  the  Choice  he's  not  the  Caufe  : 
For  fov'reign  Mercy  ne'er  was  bought, 
Yet  through  his  Blood  a  Vent  it  fought. 

In  him  concenter'd  at  his  Death 
His  Father's  4,ove,  his  leather's  Wrath. 
E'en  he  whom  Paflion  never  feiz'd, 
Was  then  moft  angry,  when  moft  pleas'd. 

1 6. 
Tuftice  requir'd  thathefhould  die, 
\\  ho  yet  was  flain  unrighteoufly  ; 
And  died  in  Mercy  and  in  WTrath, 
i\  lawful  and  a  lawlefs  Death. 

With  him  I  neither  liv'd  nor  dy'd, 
And  yet  with  him  was  crucify'd. 
Lavv-Curfes  ftopt  his  Breath,  that  he 
Alight  ftop  its  Mouth  from  curfing  me. 

*     >~  1 8. 

'Tis  now  a  thoufand  Years  and  moe, 
Since  Heav'n  rectiv'd  him  ;  yet  I  know, 
When  he  afcended  up  on  high 
To  mount  the  Throne,  even  fo  did  I. 

19. 
Hence  tho'  Earth's  Dunghill  I  embrace, 
J  fit  with  him  in  heav'nly  Place. 
In  divers  diftant  Orbs  I  move, 
lnthrall'd  below,  inthron'd  above. 


J? art  III.       The  Believer's  Riddle. 


SECT.    II. 

The  Myjlery  of  the  Saint's  Life,  State,  and  Frami^ 

i. 

TV  yf  Y  Life's  a  Pleafure  and  a  Pain, 
IvJL  a  real  Lofs.  a  real  Gain  ; 
A  glorious  Paradife  of  Joys, 
A  grievous  Prifon  of  Annoys. 

2. 

I  daily  joy,  and  daily  mourn, 
Yet  daily  wait  the  Tide's  Return  : 
Then  Sorrow  deep  my  Spirit  chears, 
I'm  joyful  in  a  Flood  of  Tears. 

3- 
Good  Caufe  I  have  ftill  to  be  fad, 
Good  Reafon  always  to  be  glad. 
Hence  ftill  my  Joys  with  Sorrows  meet, 
And  ftill  my  Tears  are  bitter-fweet. 

4- 
I'm  croft,  and  yet  have  all  my  Will, 

I'm  always  empty,  always  full. 

I  hunger  now,  and  thirft  no  more, 

Yet  do  more  eager  than  before. 

With  Meat  and  Drink,  indeed  I'm  bleft, 
Yet  feed  on  Hunger,  drink  on  Thirft. 
My  Hunger  brings  a  plenteous  Store, 
My  Plenty  makes  me  hunger  more. 

6. 
age  is  the  Place  of  my  Abode, 
el  at  Home,  I  dwell  Abroad, 
iiot  where  all  Men  may  fee, 
?  I  never  yet  could  be. 


t^o      GOSPEL  SONNETS. 

7- 
I'm  full  of  Hell,  yet  full  of  Heav'n, 
I'm  Hill  upright,  yet  Hill  unev'n. 
Imperfect,  yet  a  perfect  Saint, 
I'm  ever  poor,  yet  never    want. 

8. 
No  mortal  Eye   fees  God  and  lives* 
Yet  Sight  of  him  my  Soul  revives. 
I  live  bell  when  I  fee  moft  bright, 
Yet  live  by  Faith,  and  not  by  Sight, 

^  -  9. 

I'm  lib'ral,  yet  have  nought  to  fpare, 
Moll  richly  cloath'd  yet  ftript  and  bare. 
My  Stock  is  rifen   by  my  Fall, 
^or  having  Nothing,  I  have  All. 

10.  MT* 

I'm  finful,  yet  I  have  no  Sin  ;  L 

All  fpotted  o'er,  yet  wholly  clean, 
Blacknefs  and  Beauty  both  I  {hare 
A  hellifh  Black,  a  heavenly  Fair. 

11. 
They're  of  the  Dev'l,  who  fin  amain ; 
But  I'm  of  God,  yet  Sin  retain  : 
This  Traitor  vile  the  Throne  aflumes, 
.Prevails  yet  never  overcomes. 

12. 
I'm  without  Guile   an   I/rcfUte^ 
Yet  like  a  guileful  Hypocrite  ; 
Maintaining  Truth  in  th'  inward  Part, 
With  FaHhood  rooted  in  my  Heart 

'■}*- 
Two  Mailers  fure  I  cannot  ferve, 

But  mult  from  one  regardlefs  fwerve  , 

Yet  Self  is   for  my  Mailer  known. 

And  Jefus  is  my  Loid  alone. 


Part  IIL      The  Believer9 s  Riddle.  \  ^ 

I  feek   myfelf   incefTantly, 
Yet  daily  do  myfelf  deny. 
To  me   'tis   lawful   evermore, 
Myfelf  to  love  and  to  abhor. 

Glad  in  this  World  I  live,  yet  fee 
I'm  dead   to  it,  and  it  to  me. 
My  Joy  is  endlefs,  yet  at  beft 
Does  hardly  for  a  Moment  laft* 


SEC  T.    III. 

Myjliries  about  the  Saints  Work  and  Warfare^  Sim* 
Sorrows,  and  Joys* 

THE  Work  is  great  I'm  calPd  unto, 
Yet  nothing's  left   for  me  to  do  : 
Hence  for  my  Work  Heav'n  has  prepaid, 
No  Wages,  yet  a  great  Reward. 

2. 
To  Works,  but  not  to  Working   dead^ 
From  Sin,  but  not  from  Sinning  freed  5 
I  clear  myfelf  from  no  Offence, 
Yet  wain  mine  Hands  in  Innocence., 

f- 
My  Father's  Anger   burns  like  Fire, 

Without  a  Spark   of  furious  Ire  : 

Tho'   ftill  my  Sins  difpleafing  be, 

Yet  ftill  I  know  he's  pleas'd  with  me 

^  4* 

Triumphing  is  my  conftant  Trade* 

Who  yet  am  oft  a  Captive  led  9 

My  bloody  War  does  never  ceafe, 

Yet  I  stjaiuttia  aftabte  Peac?, 

*       Si 


c  ,42      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

5- 
My  Foes  aftaulting  conquer  me, 
"Yet  ne  er  obtain  the  Viclory  ; 
For  all  m  y  Battles  loft  or  won,    , 
Were  gain'd  before  they  were  begun* 

6. 
I'm  ftill  at  Eafe,   and  ftill  oppreft, 
Have  conftant  Trouble,  conftant  Reft  : 
Both  clear  and  cloudy,  free  and  bound  ; 
Both  dead  and  living,  loft  and  found. 

7- 

Sin  for  my  Good  does  work  and  win  j 
Yet  'tis  not  good  for  me  to  fin. 
My  Pleafure  iflues  from  my  pain; 
'My  Lofles  ftill  increafe  my  Gain. 

8. 
I'm  heal'd  even  when  my  Plagues  abound, 
Cover'd  with  Duft  ev'n  when  I'm  crown'd : 
As  low  as  Death,  when  living  high, 
Nor  fhall  I  live,  yet  cannot  die. 

9-. 
For  all  my  Sins  my  Heart  is  fad, 

Since  God's  difhonour'd;  yet  I'm  glad, 

Tho'  once  I  was  a  Slave  to  Sin, 

Since  God    does  thereby  Honour  win. 

10. 

iVIy  Sins  are  ever  in  his  Eye, 

Yet  he  beholds  no  Sin  in  me  : 

His  Mind  that  keeps  them  all  in  Store 

Will  yet  remember  them  no  more. 

1 1. 

Becaufe  my  Sins  are  great,  I  feel 
Great  Fears  of  heavy  Wrath  ;  yet  ftill 
For  Mercy  feek,  for  Pardon  wait, 
Becaufe  my  Sins  are  very  great. 


12» 


Part  III.       Tbe  Believer  s  Kiddle.  143 

12. 

I  hope,  when  plung'd  into  Defpair, 
I  tremble  when  I  have  no  Fear. 
Pardons  difpel  my  Griefs  and  Fears, 
And  yet  diifolve  my  Heart  in  Tears. 

SECT.    IV. 

Myfteries  in  Faith's  Extractions^  Way  and  Walk, 
Prayers  and  Anfwers,  Heights  and  Depths,  Fear 
and  Love. 

WITH  Wafps  and  Bees  my  bufy  Bill, 
Sucks  111  from  Good,  and  Good  from  111. 
Humil'ty  makes  my  Pride  to  grow, 
And  Pride  afpiring  lays  me  low. 

2.' 
My  Standing  does  my  Fall  procure, 
My  Falling  makes  me  ftand  more  fure. 
My  Poifon  does  my  Phyfick  prove, 
My  Enmity  provokes  my  Love. 

3- 
My  Poverty  infers  my  Wealth, 
My  Sicknefs  ifTues  in  my  Health  : 
My  Hardnefs  tends  to  make  me  foft, 
And  killing  Things  do  cure  me  oft. 

While  high  Attainments  caftmet'ov 
My  deep  Abafements  raife  me  foon  : 
My  beft  Things  oft  have  evil' Brood, 
,My  worft  Things  work  my  greateft  Go 

My  inward  Foes  that  me  alarm, 
Breed  me  much  Hurt,  yet  little  Harm  : 
I  get  no  Good  by  them,  yet  fee 
T©  my  chief  Good  they  caufe  rne  flee. 


*44      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

6. 
They  reach    to. me  a  deadly  Stroke, 
Yet  fend  me  to  my  living  Rock. 
1  hey  make  me    long  for  Canaan's  Banks* 
Yet  fure   I  owe  them   little  Thanks. 

7- 
I  travel,  yet  ftand   firm  and  faft  ; 

I  run,  but  yet  I  make  no  Hafte. 

I  take  a  Way   both  old  and  new, 

"Within  my  Sight,  yet  out  of  View*. 

8. 
My  Way  directs   me   in  the  Way, 
And  will  not  fuffer  me  to  ftray: 
Tho'  high  and  out  of  Sight  it  be, 
I'm  in  the  Way,  the  Way's  in  me. 

9- 
*Tis  ftraight,  yet  full  of  Heights   and  Depths* 
I  keep  the  Way,  the  Way  me  keeps. 
And   being  that  to  which  I  tend 
My  very  Way's  my  Journey's  End. 

io. 
When  I'm  in  Company   I  groan, 
Becaufe  I  then  am  moft  alone  $ 
Yet  in  my  clofeft  Secrecy, 
I'm  joyful  in  my  Company. 

ii. 

I'm   heard  afar  without  a  Noife, 
I  cry  without  a    lifted  Voice  : 
Still  moving  in  Devotion's  Sphere, 
Yet  feidcm  fteady  perfevere. 

12. 

I'm  heard   when  anfwer'd  foon  or  late, 
And  heard  when    I  no  Anfwer  get ; 
Yea,  kindly  anfwer'd,  when  refus'd, 
And  friendly  treat  when  harihly  us'd. 


Pa  rt  III.        The  Believer's  Riddle.  14$ 

My  fervent  Pray'rs   ne'er  did  prevail, 
Nor  e'er  of  Prevalency    fail. 
I  wreftle  'till  my  Strength  be  fpentj 
Yet  yield  when  ftrong  Recruits   are  fent, 

I    languifh  for  my  Hufband's    Charms> 
Yet   mint   away  when  in  his   Arms. 
My  fweeteft  Health  does  Sicknefs  prove  ; 
When  Love   me  heals,  I'm  fick  of  Love, 

f  am  moft  merry   when  I'm   fad ; 
Mo  if.  full  of  Sorrow  when  I'm  glad  : 
Moft  precious    when  I  am   moil  vile* 
And  moft  at  Home  when  in  Exile, 

16. 
My  bafe  and    honourable  Birth 
Excites  my  Mourning  and  my  Mirth. 
I'm  poor,  yet  ftock'd  with  untold  Rent, 
Moft   weak  and  yet  omnipotent. 

17- 
On   Earth  there's  none  fo  great  and  high; 
Nor  yet  fo  low  and  mean  as  I : 
None  or  fo  fooliih,  or  fo  wife  5 
So  often  fall,   fo  often  rife. 

18. 
I  feeing  him  I  never  faw, 
Serve  without  Fear,  and  yet   with  Awe  i 
Tho'   Love  when  perfect,  Fear  remove  3  ■ 
Yet  moft  I  fear  when  moft  I  love. 

19 

All  Things  arc  lawful  unto  me, 
Yet  many  Things  unlawful  be  : 
To  fome   I  perfect  Hatred  bear, 
Yet  keep  the  Law  of  Love  intire» 

L  at, 


i46       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

20. 

I'm  bound  to  love  my  Friends,  but  yet 

I  fin  unlefs  I  do  them  hate  : 

I  am  oblig'd  to  hate  my  Foes, 

Yet  bound  to  love,  and  pray  for  thofc. 

21. 
Heart -Love  to  Man  Pm  call'd  t'  impart, 
Yet  God  frill  c^lls  for  all  my  Heart. 
I  do  him  and  his  Service  both, 
By  Nature  love,  by  Nature  loath. 


SECT.     V. 

Myfieries  about  Flejh  and  Spirit ,  Liberty  and  Bondage  ^ 
Life  and  Death. 

'  ,. 

A/JUCH  like  my  Heart  both  falfe  and  true, 
**- *  ^  I  have  a  Name  both  old  and  new, 
No  new  Thing  is  beneath  the  Sun, 
Yet  all  is  new,  and  old  Things  gone. 

2. 
Tho'  in  my  Flefh  dwells  no  good  Thing,     • 
Yet  Christ  in  me  I  joyful  ling. 
Sin  I  confefs,   and  I  deny,  ^* 

For  tho'  I  fin,  it  is  not  I. 

3- 
1  fin  againfr,  and  with  my  Will, 
I'm  innocent,  yet  guilty  ftill. 
Tho'  fain  I'd  be  the  greateft  Saint, 
To  be  the  leaft  I'd  be  content* 

My  Lownefs  may  my  Height  evfycc, 
I'm  both  a  Beggar  and  a  Prince. 
With  meaneft  Subjects  I  appear, 
Wjtk  Kings  a  Royal  Sgeptf  e  l*ear» 


Part  III.       The  Believer* s  Riddle,-  147 

5- 
I'm  both  unfettered  and  involv'd, 
By  Law  condemn'd,  by  Law  abfolv'd* 
My  Guilt  condignly  punifh'd  fee, 
Yet  I  the  guilty  Wretch  go  free. 

6. 
My  Gain  did  by  my  Lofs  begin  ; 
My  Righteoufnefs  commenc'd  by  Sin  5 
My  perfect  Peace,  by  bloody  Strife  : 
Life  is  my  Death,  and  Death  my  Life;, 

I'm  (in  this  prefent  Life  I  know) 
A  Captive  and  a  Freeman  too  ; 
And  tho'  my  Death  can't  fet  me  free-, 
It  will  per fedt  my  Liberty. 

8. 
I  am  not  worth  one  dufty  Grain, 
Yet  more  than  Worlds  of  golden  Gain  $ 
Tho'  worthlefs  I  myfelf  indite, 
Yet  fhall  as  worthy  walk  in  white. 


SECT.     VI. 

The  JHyftery  of  free  f  unification  thro*  Christ^ 
Obedience  and  Satisfaction. 

1. 

1\J  O  Creature  ever  could  or  will 
-^    For  Sin  yield  Satisfaction  full ; 
Yet  Juitice  from  the  Creature's  Hand, 
Both  fought  and  got  its  full  Demand. 

2. 
Hence  tho'  I  am,  as  well  I  know, 
A  Debtor,  yet  I  nothing  owe. 
My  Creditor  has  nought  to  fay, 
Yet  never  had  I  aught  to  pay, 

L  a 


i48       GOSPELSONNETS, 

3- 
He  freely  pardon'd  every  Mite, 
Yet   would  no  fingle  Farthing  quit. 
J^ence  every  Blifs  that  falls  to  me, 
Is  dearly  bought,  yet  wholly  free. 

4- 
All  Pardon  that  I  need,  I  have, 
Yet   daily  Pardon  need   to  crave. 
The  Law's  Arreft  keeps  me  in  awe, 
But  yet  'gainft  me  there  is  no  Law. 

Tho'  Truth  my  juft  Damnation  crave, 
Yet  Truth's  engag'd  my  Soul  to  faVe. 
My  whole  Salvation  comes  by  this-. 
Fair  Truth  and  Mercy's   mutual  Kifs. 

6. 
Law-Breakers  ne'er   its  Curfe   have  mift, 
But  I  ne'er  kept  it,  yet  am  bleft. 
I  can't  be  juftify'd  by  it, 
And  yet  it  can't  but  me  acquit. 

7- 
I'm  not  oblig'd  to  keep  it  more, 
Yet  more  oblig'd  than  e'er  before. 
By  perfect  doing  Life   I  find, 
Yet  do  and  live   no  more  me  bind, 

8. 
Thefe  Terms  no  Change  can  undergo, 
Yet  fweetly  chang'd  they  are  j  for  lo 
My  Doing  caus'd  my  Life,  but  now 
My  Life's  the  Caufe  that  makes  me  do, 

9. 
Tho'  Works   of  Righteoufnefs  I  ftore, 
Yet   Righteoufnefs  of  Works  abhor  i 
For  Righteoufnefs  without  a  Flaw, 
Is  Righteoufnefs  without  the  Law** 

*  Rm,  iii,  20,  2,i)  22, 


Part  III.       The  Believer's  Riddle.  149 

10. 

In   Duty's  Way  I'm  bound  to  lie, 
Yet  out  of  Duties  bound  to  fly : 
Hence  Merit  I  renounce  with  Shame, 
Yet  Right  to  Life  by  Merit  claim. 

Merit  of  perfect  Righteoufnefs 
I  never  had,  yet  never  mifs: 
On  this  Condition  I  have  all, 
Yet  all  is  unconditional. 

12, 
\f\hb\   freeft, Mercy  I  implore, 
Yet  I*am  fafe   on  Juftice  fcore  ; 
•Which  never  could  the  Guilty  free, 
Yet  fully  clears  moft  guilty  me. 

SECT.    VII. 

Tbe'MyJfery  of  GOD  the  Juftifer,  Rom.  iii.  26, 
justified  both  in  his  Justifying  and  Condemning  >  or 
Soul-Jujlification  and  Self -Condemnation. 

1. 

TV/TY  Jesus  needs  not  fave,  yetmuft;    , 
■+■*">  He  is  my  Hope,  I  am  his  Truft. 
He  paid  the  double  Debt  well-known;. 
To  be  all  mine,  yet  all  his  own,. 

^       2. 
Hence  tho'  I  ne'er  had  more  or  lefs 
Of  Juftice-pleafing  Righteoufnefs, 
Yet  here  is  one  wrought  to  my  Hand, 
As  full  as  Juftice  can  demand, 

3- 
By  this  my  Judge  is  more  appeas'd, 
Than  e'er  my  Sin  his  Honour  laes'd. 
Yea,  Juftice  can't  be  pleas'd  fo  well, 
By  all  the  Torments  borne  in  Hell, 

L3  4. 


T.50       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

Full  Satisfaction  here  is  fuch, 
As  Hell  can  never  yield  fo  much  ; 
Tho'  Juftice  therefore  might  me  damn, 
Yet  by  more  Juftice  fav'd  I  am. 

5- 
Here  every  divine  Property 
Is  to  the  highlit  fet  on  high  ; 
Hence  God  his  Glory  would  injure. 
If  my  Salvation  were  not  fure. 

6. 
My  Peace  and  Safety  lie  in  this, 
My  Creditor  my  Surety  is. 
The  Judgment-Day  I  dread  the  lefs, 
My  Judge  is  made  my  Righteoufnefs.** 

7- 
He  paid  out  for  a  Bankrupt-Crew, 
The  Debt  that  to  himfelf  was  due  ; 
And  fatisfy'd  himfelf  for  me, 
When  he  did  Juftice  fatisfy. 

8. 
He  to  the  Law,  tho'  Lord  of  it, 
Did  moft  obediently  fubmit. 
What  he  ne'er  broke,  and  yet  muft  die, 
T  never  kept,  yet  live  muft  I. 

The  Law  which  him  its  Keeper  kiil'd^ 
In  me  its  Breaker  is  fulhlFd  ; 
Yea  magnify 'u  and  honour'd  more, 
Than  Sin  defac'd  it  e'er-before. 

io. 
Hence  tho'  the  Law  condemn  at  large, 
It  can  lay  nothing  to  my  Charge  : 
Nor  find  fuch  Ground  to  challenge  me. 
As  Heaven  hath  found  to  juL 

w  Cay     i      nn 


Pa  rt  III.       The  Believer's  Riddle.  1 5 1 

1 1. 

But  tho'  he  freely  me  remit, 

I  never  can  myfelf  acquit. 

My  Judge  condemns  me  not,  I  granrt 

Yet  juflify  myfelf  I  can't.  ^ 

12. 

From  him  I  have  a  Pardon  got, 
But  yet  myfelf  I  pardon  not. 
His  rich  Forgivenefs  flill  I  have, 
Yet  never  can  myfelf  forgive. 

The  more  he's  toward  me  appeas'd, 
The  more  I'm  with  my  felf  difpleas'd. 
'  The  more  I  am  abfolv'd  by  him, 
The  more  I  do  myfelf  condemn. 

14. 

When  he  in  Heav'n  dooms  me  to  dwell, 
Then  I  adjudge  my  felf  to  Hell  5 
Yet  ftill  I  t©  his  Judgment  'gree, 
And  clear  him  for  abfolving  me. 

Thus  he  clears  me,  and  I  him  clear? 
I  juflify  my  Juftifier. 
Let  him  condemn  or  juflify, 
From  all  Injuflice  I  him  free. 

SECT.    VIII. 

The  Myftery  of Sanftification  imperfeft  in  this  Life : 
or  the  Believer  doing  all  in  doing  nothing* 

.1. 

TV/f  I N  E  Arms  embrace  my  God,  yet  I 
^/^  Had  never  Arms  to  reach  fo  high  ; 
His  Arm  alone  me  holds,  yet  lo, 
I  hold  and  will  not  kt  him  go. 


iga     Q0S  PEL    SONNETS. 

2. 

I  do  according  to  his  Call, 
And  )  et  not   I,   but  he  does  all  ; 
But  tho'    he  works   to  will  and  do, 
I  without  Force  work  freely  to. 

His  Will   and  mine   agree  full  well. 
Yet  difagree  like  Heav'n  and  Hell. 
His  Nature's  mine,  and  mine  is  his, 
Yet  fo  was   never  that  nor  this. 

I  know  him  and  his  Name,  yet  own 
He  and  his  Name  can  ne  cr  be  known, 
His   gracious  Coming  makes  me  do, 
I  know  he  comes,  yet  know  not  how. 

5- 
I  have  no  Good  but   what  he  gave, 
Yet  he  commends  the  Good    I  have. 
And  tho'  my  Good  to  him  afcerrd 
My  Goodnefs  to  him  ne'er  extends, 

6. 
I  take  hold  of  his  Cov'nant  free, 
But  find   it  mufl  take  hold    of  me. 
I'm   bound  to   keep    it,  yet  'tis  bail, 
And  bound  to  keep  me  without  fail. 

7- 
The  Bond  on  my  part  cannot  laft, 

Yet  on  both  Sides  Hands   firm  and  fail, 

I  break  my  Bands  at  every  Shock. 

Yet  never  is  the  Bargain  broke. 

8. 
Daily,  alas  !  I  difobey, 
Yet  yield  Obedience  every  Day. 
J'm  an  imperfect  perfect  Man, 
Ttat  can  do  all,  yet  nothing  can. 


Part  III.      "The  Believer's  Riddle.  155 

9- 

Vm   from  beneath,  and  from  above, 
A  Child  of  Wrath,  a  Child  of  Love, 
A  Stranger  e'en  where  all  me  know, 
A   Pilgrim,  yet  I  no  where  go. 

ip. 
I  trade  abroad,  yet  ftay  at  home. 
My  Tabernacle  is  my  Tomb. 
I  can  be  prifon'd  yet  abroad, 
Bound  Hand  and  Foot,  yet  walk  with  God. 

SECT.    IX. 

The  M^fiery  of  various  Names  ginxen  te  Saints  :  Or 
the  Flejh  and  Spirit  defcribed  from  inanimate 
^things.  Vegetables,  and  Senfitives. 

1. 

npO  tell  the  World   my  proper  Name, 
■*■     Is  both  my  Glory  and  my  Shame  : 
For  like  my  black  but  comely  Face, 
My  Name  is  Sin,  my  Name  is   Grace, 

2. 
Moft  fitly  Tin  affimilate 
To  various  Things  inanimate  ; 
A  (landing  Lake,  a  running  Flood, 
A  fixed  Star,  a   palling  Cloud. 

t* 

A  Cake  unturn'd,  nor  cold,  nor  hot  $ 

A  Veflel  found,   a  broken  Pot  ; 
A  rifing  Sun,  a  drooping  Wing, 
A  flinty  Rock,  a   flowing  Spring. 

4- 
A  rotten  Beam,  a  virid  Stem, 

A  menftruous  Cloth,  a  royal  Gem  : 

A  Garden  barr'd,  an  open   Field, 

£  glkiing  Scream,  a  Fountain  feal'4. 


i54      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

Of  various  Vegetables  fee 

A  fair  and  lively  Map  in  me. 

A  fragrant  Rofe,  a  noifom  Weed, 

A  rotting,  yet  immortal  Seed. 

6. 
Tm  withering  Grafs,  and  growing  Corn  ; 
A  pleafant  Plant,  an  irkfom  Thorn  ; 
An  empty  Vine,  'a  fruitful  Tree  ; 
An  humble  Shrub,  a  Cedar  high. 

?■ 

A  noxious  Briar,  a  harmlefs  Pine  ; 

.  fa  faplefs  Twig,  a  bleeding  Vine  : 
A  liable  Fir,  a  pliant  Bufh,  «' 
A  noble  Oak,  a  naughty  Rufh. 

8. 
With  Senfitives  I  may  compare, 
While  I  their  various  Natures  fhare  : 
Their  diftincl:  Names  may  juftly  lute 
range,  a  reafpnable  Brute. 

9.  ■    •«*. 

The  facred  Page  my  State  defer ibes 
From  volatile  and  reptile  Tribes. 
Fro  a  ugly  Vipers,  beauteous  Birds, 
From  foaring  Hofts,  and  fwinifh  Kerdi. 

\o. 
I'm  rank'd  with  Beafts  of  different  Kinds, 
With  ipiteful  Tigers,  loving  Hinds. 
And  Creatures  of  difting.iifh'd  Forms, 
With  mounting  Eagles,  creeping  Worms. 

1 1. 

A  Mixture  of  each  Sort  I  am, 
A  hurtful  Snake,  a  harmlefs  Lamb  ; 
A  tardy  Afs,  a  Jpeedy  Roe  ; 
A  Lion  bold,  a  tim'rousDoe. 


Jhe  Believer's  Riddle,  i$.$ 

12. 

A  flothful  Owl,  a  bufy  Ant, 
A  Dove  to  mourn,  a  Lark  to  chant ; 
And  with  lefs  Equals  to  compare, 
And  ugly  Toad,  an  Angel  fair. 


SECT.    X. 

'The  Myftery  of  the  Saints  old  and  new  #fan  further 
defcribed-,  and  the  Means  of  their  Jpiritual  Life, 

1. 

npEmptations  breed  me  much  annoy, 
-*■    Yet  divers  fuch  I  count  all  Joy, 
On  Earth  I  fee  Confufio'ns  reel, 
Yet  Wifdom  ordering  all  Things  well, 

2. 
I  fleep,  yet  have  a  waking  Ear, 
I'm  blind  and  deaf,  yet  fee  and  hear  ; 
Dumb,  yet  cry  Abba  Father ■,  plain, 
Born  only  once,  yet  born  again. 

.  3* 
My  Heart's,  a  Mirrour  dim  and  bright, 

A  Compound  ftrange  of  Day  and  Night : 

Of  Dung  and  Diamonds,  Drofs  and  Gold, 

Of  Summer  Heat,  and  Winter  Cold. 

4- 
Down  like  a  Stone  I  fink'  and  dive, 

Yet  daily  upward  foar  and  thrive. 

To  Heaven  I  flee,  to  Earth  I  tend, 

Still  better  grow,  yet  never  mend. 

My  Heaven  and  Glory's  lure  to  me, 
Tho'  thereof  feldom  fure  I  be  ; 

makes  me  the  furer  is, 
God  is  lay  Glory,  I  am  his. 


tS&       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

6. 
My  Life's  expos'd    to  open  View, 
Yet  clofely  hid,  and  known  to  kw. 
Some  know  my  Place,  and  whence  I  came, 
Yet  neither   whence,  nor  where  I  am. 

7- 
I  live  In  Earth,  which  is  not   odd, 
But  lo,  I  alfo  live  in  God  ; 
A  Spirit  without  Flefh  and  Blood, 
Yet  with  them  both  to  yield  me  Food. 

8. 
I  live  what   others  live   upon, 
Yet  live  I    not  on  Bread   alone  ; 
But  Food  adapted   to  my  Mind, 
Bare  Words,  yet  not  on   empty  Wind. 

9- 

I'm  no  Anthropophagite  rude, 

Tho'   fed   with  human   Flefh  and  Blood, 
.Bat  h've  fuperlatively  fine, 
My  Food's  all  Spirit,  all  divine. 

io. 
I  feait  on  Fulnefs  Night  and  Day, 
Yer  pinch 'd    for  Want  I  pine  away. 
My  Leannefs,  Leannefs,    ah  !  I  cry, 
Yet  fat  and  full  of  Sap  am  I. 

1 1. 
As  all  amphibious  Creatures  do, 
I  live  in  Land  and  Water  too  : 
To  Good  and  Evil   equal  bent, 
I'm  both  a  Devil  and  a  Saint. 

I  2 

To  Duty    feldom   I  adhere, 
Yet   to  the  End  I   perfevere. 
I  die  and  rot   beneath   the  Clod, 
Yet  live  and  reign  a<s  long  as  Gel. 


CT 


Part  III.       Zbe  Believers  kiddie.  tsjjf 


SECT.    XI. 

The  My  fiery  of  Christ,  his  Names,  Natures^  and 
Offices, 

i. 

MY  Lord  appears,  awake  my  Soul, 
Admire  his  Name,  the  Wonderful^ 
An  infinite  and   finite  Mind, 
Eternity   and  Time   conjoint 

2. 
The  everlafting  Father  ftil'd, 
Yet  lately  born,  the  Virgin's  Child* 
Nor  Father  he,  nor  Mother  had, 
Yet  full   with  both  Relations  clad^ 

3- 

His  Titles   differ  and  accord, 
As  David's  Son,  and  David? s  Lord. 
Through  Earth  and  Hell  how  conqu'ring  rode 
The  dying  Marj>    the  rifing  God  \ 

4. 
My  Nature  is  Corruption  doonvd  ; 
Yet  when  my  Nature  he  affum'd, 
He  nor  on  him    (to  drink  the  Brook) 
My  Perfon  nor  Corruption   took. 

Yet  he  afliimM  my  Sin  and  Guilt, 
For  which  the   noble  Blood  was  ipi It- 
Great  was  the  Guilt-o'erflowing  Flood, 
The   Creature's  and   Creator's  Bloou  f 

6, 
The  Chief  of  Chiefs  amazing  came, 
Tc    bear  the  Glory  and  the  Shame  ; 
Anointed  Chief  with  Oil  of  Joy, 

aM  Chief  y:kh  Thsrns  of  fiiarp  Annoy  *     . 


t5S       GOSPEL   SONNETS. 

7- 

Lo,  in  his  white  and  ruddy  Face, 
Rofe-;  and  Liiiies  ftrive  for  Place; 
The  Morning  Star,  the  rifing  Sun 
With  equal  Speed  and  Splendor  run* 

8. 
How  glorious  is  the  Churches  Head, 
Ths  Son  of  God,  the  Woman's  Seed  ! 
How  iearchlefs  is  his  noble  Clan, 
The  firft,  the  lail,  the  fecond  Man  ! 

9- 
With  equal  Brightnefs  in  his  Face,  - 
Shines  divine  Juilice,  divine  Grace  ; 
The  jarring  Glories  kindly  meet, 
Stern  Vengeance,  and  Companion  fwect 

10; 

God  is  a  Spirit,  feerns  it  odd 
To  ling  aloud  the  Blood  of  God  ; 
Yea,  hence  my  Peace  and  Joy  refult, 
And  here  my  lading  Hope  is  built. 

i  ri 

lx)ve  through  his  Blood  a  Vent  has  fought* 
Yet  divine  Love  was  never  bought  : 
Mercy  could  never  purchas'd  be, 
Ye:  every  Mercy  purchas'd  he. 

12. 

K     triple  Station  brought  my  Peace* 
The  Altar,  Prieft,  and  Sacrifice ; 
His  triple  Office  every  Thing, 
My  Prieft,  my  Prophet  is,  and  King. 

13. 
This  King,  who  only  Man  became, 
Is  both  the  Lion  and  the  Lamb  ; 
A  King  of  Kings,  and  Kingdoms  broad ^ 
A  Servant  both  to  Man  and  God, 


¥he  Believers  Riddle.  i£f 


14. 

This  Prophet  kind  himfelf  has  fet, 
To  be  my  B®ok  and  Alphabet, 
And  every  needful  Letter  plain, 
Alpha,  Omega,  and  Amen. 


SECT.     XII. 

The  Myjlery  of  the  Be  l  i  e  ve  r'j  mixed  State  further 
inlarged'i   and  his  getting  Gom  out  of  EvlU 

t. 

DEhold,  I'm  all  defil'd  with  Sin," 
*-*   Yet  lo,  all  glorious  am  within. 
In  Egypt  and  in  Gojheri  dwell, 
Still  movelefs,  and  in  Motion  Hill. 

2. 

Unto  the  Name  that  mofl  I  dread, 
[  flee  with  joyful  Wings  and  Speed. 
My  daily  Hope  does  moft  depend, 
Dn  him  I  daily  rrioit  offend. 

2; 

All  things  againfl  me  are  combined, 
Vet  working  for  my  Good,   I  flntL 
I'm  Rich  in  midil  of  Poverties, 
And  happy  in  my  Miferies. 

4- 
3ft  my  Comforter  fends  me  Gfief^ 

)Ay  Helper  fends  me  no  Relief. 

Yet  herein  my  Advantage  lies. 

That  Help  and  Comfort  he  denies. 

As  Seamftars  into  Pieces  cut 
The  Cloth  they  into  Form  would  put, 
Fie  cuts  me  down  to  make  me  up, 
An&  empties  m§  te  iiil  my  Cup. 

i. 


%6o       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

6. 
I   never  can  myfelf  enjoy* 
'Till  he  my  woful  Self  deftroy  ; 
And  moft  of  all  myfelf  I  am, 
When  moil  I  do  myfelf  difclaime 

I  glory   in   Infirmities, 
Yet  daily  am    afham'd  of  thefe : 
Yea,  all  my  Pride  gives  up  the  Ghoft, 
When  once  I  but   begin  to  boaft; 

8. 
My  Chymiftry  is   moft  exact, 
Heav'n  out   of  Hell  I  do  extract : 
This  Art  to  me   a  Tribute  brings 
Of  ufeful  out  of  hurtful  Things. 

9- 
I  learn  to  draw  Well  out  of  Woe, 

And  thus  to  difappoint    the  Foe  : 

The  Thorns  that  in  my  Flefh  abide, 

t)o  Prick  the  Tympany   of  Pride. 

io. 
By  wounding  FoiL  the  Field   I  win, 
And  Sin   itfelf  deftroys  my  Sin  : 
My  Lufts  break  one  another's  Pate, 
And  each  Corruption   kills  its  Mate. 

1 1. 
I  ftnell  the  Bait,   I  feel  the  Harrri 
Of  corrupt  Ways,    and  take  th'  Alarm. 
I  tafte  the  Bitternefs  of  Sin, 
And  then  to  relifh  Grace  begiri; 

12. 

I  bear  the  Fools  profanely  talk, 
Thence  Wifdom  learn  in  Word  and  Walk : 
I  fee  them  throng  the  PaiTage  broad, 
And  learn  to  take  the  narrow  Road, 


SECTt 


Part  III.         The  Believer's  Riddle.         16 1 


SECT.     XIII. 

The    Myjiery    of  the    Saints    Jdverf'irits    a?:d 
Adverftties. 

i. 

A    Lump  of  Woe  Affliction  is, 
-**-    Yet  thence  I  borrow  Lumps  of  Blifs  s 
Tho'    few  can  fee  a  Bleinng  in't, 
It  is  my  Furnace   and  my  Mint. 

2- 
Its  Sharpnefs   does  my  Luffs  difpatch  > 
Its  Suddennefs  alarms   my  Watch  ; 
Its    Bitternefs   refines  my  Tafte  ; . 
And  weans  me  from  the  Creature's  Breaffc 

h 

Its  Weightinefs   doth  try  my  Back, 
That  Faith  and  Patience  be  not  flack  : 
It  is  a  fanning   Wind,  whereby 
I  am  unchaff  d  of  Vanity. 

4- 
A  Furnace  to  refine  my  Grace* 
A  Wing  to  lift  my  Soul  apace  ; 
Hence  ftill  the  more  I  fob  diftreir^ 
The  more  I  fing    my  endlefs  Reft. 

..  5- 

Mine  Enemies  that  feek  my  Hurt, 

Of  all  their  bad   Deiigns  come  {hort  | 

They  ferve  me  duly  to  my  Mind. 

With  Favours  which  they  ne'er  defign'd, 

6. 

The  Fury  of  my  Foes  makes  me, 
Faft  to  my  peaceful  Refuge  flee  : 
knd  every   perfecuting  Elf 
3oes  make  rne  understand  myfelf. 

M  '/ 


.i6-2       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

Their  Slanders  cannot  work  my  Shame, 
Their  vile  Reproaches  raife  my  Name  : 
In  Peace  with  Heav'n  my  Soul  can  dwell, 
E'en  when  they  damn  me  down  to  Hell. 

8. 
Their  Fury  can't  the  Treaty  harm, 
Their  Paffion  does  my  Pity  warm : 
Their  Madnefs  only  calms  my  Blood, 
By  doing  Hurt,  they  do  me  Good. 

9- 
They  are  my  fordid  Slaves  I  wot, 

My  Drudges  tho'  they  know  it  not  : 

They  ac~T,  to  me  a  kindly  Part, 

With  little  Kindnefs  in  their  Heart. 

io. 
They  fweep  my  outer  Houfe  when  foul, 
Yea  wafh  my  inner  Filth  of  Soul : 
They  help  to  purge  away  my  Blot, 
For  Moab  is  my  Warning-Pot. 

SECT.    XIV. 

Tlie  My  fiery  of  the  Believer's  Ear  don  and  Security 
from  revenging  Wrath^  notwithjlanding  his  Sin's 
pefirU 

i. 
T  Tho'  from  Condemnation  free, 
•*■    Find  -fuch  Condemnables  in  me, 
As  makes  more  heavy  Wrath  my  Due, 
Than  falls  on  all  the  damned  Crew. 

2. 

But  tho'  1x1}  Crimes  deferve  the  Pit, 
I'm  no  more  liable  tc  it ; 
Kemifuoi.  fcal-d  with  Bicod  and  Death, 
Secures  ine  from  defer ved  Wrath, 


Part  III.      The  Believers  Riddle.  163 

3- 
And  having  now  a  Pardon  free, 
To  Hell  obnoxious  cannot  be, 
Nor  to  a  Threat,  except  *  anent         *  about* 
Paternal  Wrath  and  Chaftifement. 

4. 
My  Soul  may  oft  be  fill'd  indeed 
With  flavifh  Fear  and  hellim  Dread  ;      - 
This  from  my  Unbelief  does  fpring, 
My  Faith  fpeaks  out  fome  better  Thing* 

■    .     5' 
Faith  fees  no  legal  Guilt  again, 

Tho'  Sin  and  its  Defert  remain  : 

Some  hidden  Wonders  hence  refult* 

I'm  full  of  Sin,  yet  free  from  Guilt. 

6. 

Guilt  is  the  legal  Bond  or  Knot, 
That  binds  to  Wrath  and  Vengeance  hot  | 
But  Sin  may  be  where  Guilt's  away, 
And  Guilt  where  Sin  could  never  ftay4 

Guilt  without  any  Sin  has  been, 
As  in  my  Surety  may  be  feen  ; 
The  ElecVs  Guilt  upon  him  came, 
Yet  ftill  he  was  the  Holy  Lamb. 

8. 
Sin  without  Guilt  may  likewife  be, 
As  may  appear  in  pardon'd  me  : 
For  tho'  my  Sin,  alas  !  does  ftay, 
Yet  Pardon  takes  the  Guilt  away, 

9- 
Thus  freed  I  am,  yet  ftill  involv'd, 
A  guilty  Sinner,  yet  abfolv'd  : 
Tho'  Pardon  leave  no  Guilt  behind, 
Yet  Sin's  Defert  remains  I  find. 


1 64      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

10. 

Guilt   and  Demerit  differ  here, 
Tho'   oft  their  Names  confounded  are. 
I'm  guilty  in  myfelf  always, 
Since  Sin's  Demerit  ever  ftays. 

ii. 

Yet   in  my  Head  I'm    always  free 
From    proper  Guilt  afFe£ting  me  ; 
Becaufe  my  Surety's  Blood    cancell'd, 
The  Bond  of  Curfes  once  me  held. 

12. 
The  Guilt  that  Pardon    did  divorce 
From  legal  Threat'nings  drew  its  Force  ; 
But  Sin's  Defert  that  lodges  ftill, 
Is  drawn  from  Sin's  intrinfick  111. 

13- 
Were  Guilt   nought  elfe   but  Sin's  Defert, 
Of  Pardon  I'd    renounce  my  Part ; 
For  were  I  now  in  Heaven  to  dwell, 
I'd  own  my  Sins  deferved  Hell. 

•  14. 

This  does   my  higheft  Wonder  move 
At  matchlefs  juftifying  Love  : 
That  thus  fecures  from  endlefs  Death, 
A  Wretch  deferving    double  Wrath. 

Tho'  well  my  black  Defert    I  know, 
Yet  I'm  not  liable  to  Woe  : 
While  full  and  complete  Righteoufnefs, 
Imputed  for  my  Freedom  is. 

16. 
Hence  my  Security  from  Wrath, 
As  firmly  ftands  on  Jesus'  Death  ; 
As  does  my  Title  unto  Heaven, 
Upon  his  great  QUdienct  given, 


*7' 


Part  III.       The  Believer's  Riddle.  165 

The  Sentence  Heaven  did    full  pronounce, 
Has   pardon'd  all  my  Sins  at  once  ; 
And  e'en  from  future  Crimes  acquit, 
Before  I  could  the  Fads   commit. 

18. 
I'm  always  in  a  pardon'd  State 
Before  and   after  Sin  ;  but  yet 
That  vainly  I  prefume   not  hence, 
I'm  feldom  pardon'd  to  my  Senfe. 

.19. 
Sin  brings  a  Vengeance  on  my  Head, 
Tho'   from  avenging  Wrath   I'm  freed. 
And  tho'  my  Sins  all  pardon'd   be, 
Their  Pardon's   not  apply' d  to  me. 

20. 
Thus  tho'  I  need  no  Pardon  more, 
Yet  need  new  Pardons  every  Hour, 
In  Point  of  Application   free. 
Lord,  warn  anew,  and  pardon  me. 


S  E  C  T.    XV. 

The  Myjlery  of  Faith   and  Sight%    of   which   more^ 
Part  vi.  Chap.  4. 

1. 

CTrange  Contradictions   me  befall, 
^  I  can't  believe  unlefs  I  fee  ; 
Yet  never  can   believe  at  all, 
'Till  once  I  (hut  the  feeing  Eye. 

2. 

When  Sight   of  fweet  Experience 
Can  give  my  Faith    no  helping  Hand, 
The  Sight  of  found  Intelligence 
Will  give  it  ample  Ground  to  Hand, 

M  ?  n. 


i66       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 
3. 

I  walk  by  Faith,  and  not  by  Sight, 
Yet  Know/edge  does  my  Faith  refound, 
(Which  cannot  walk  but  in  the  Light,) 
£*en  when  Experience  runs  a-ground, 

4- 
By  Knowledge  my  difcerning  Eye, 
In  divine  Light  the  Object's  mown  \ 
By  Faith  I  take,  and  clofe  apply 
The  glorious  Objecl:  as  mine  own. 

My  Faith  thus  (lands  on  divine  Light, 
Believing  what  it  clearly  fees ; 
Yet  Faith  is  oppofite  to  Sight, 
Trufting  its  Ear,  and  not  its  Eyes. 

6. 
Faith  lift'ning  to  a  fweet  Report, 
Still  comes  by  Hearing,  not  by  Sight ; 
Yet  is  not  Faith  of  faving  Sort, 
But  when  it  fees  in  divine  Light. 

7- 
In  Fears  I  fpend  my  vital  Breath, 
In  Doubts  I  wafle  my  patting  Years  ; 
Yet  ltill  the  Life  I  live  is  Faith, 
The  Oppofite  of  Doubts  and  Fears. 

8. 
^Tween  clearing  Faith  and  clouding  Senfe, 
I  walk  in  Darknefs  and  in  Light. 
I'm  certain  oft,  when  in  Sufpenfe, 
While  fure  by  Faith,  and  not  by  Sight. 


£  E  CLTt 


P  a  rt  III.       lie  Believer's  Riddle.  1 67 

SECT.     XVI. 

1 he  Myftery  of  Faith  and  Works,  and  Rewards  of 
Grace  and  Debt. 

I.  Of  Faith  and  Works. 

1. 

UE  that  in  Wort  offendeth  not, 
-*■■*-   Is  call'd  a  perfect  Man  I  wot ; 
Yet  he  whofe  Thoughts  and  Deeds  are  bad, 
The  Law  Perfection  never  had. 

2. 
I  am  defign'd  a  perfect  Soul, 
E'en  tho'  I  never  kept  the  whole, 
Nor  any  Precept ;  for  'tis  known, 
He  breaks  them  all  that  breaks  but  one. 

3- 
By  Faith  I  do  Perfection  claim, 
By  Works  I  never  grafp  the  Name-: 
Yet  without  Works  my  Faith  is  nought, 
And  thereby  no  Perfection  brought. 

-4- 
Works  without  Faith  will  never  fpeed, 

Faith  without  Works  is  wholly  dead  : 

Yet  I  amjuftify'dby  Faith, 

Which  no  Law- Works  adjutant  hath. 

Yea  Qofpel- Works  no  Help  can  lend, 
Tho'  ftill  they  do  my  Faith  attend  : 
Yet  Faith  by  Works  hperfett  made, 
And  by  their  Prefence  juftify'd. 

6. 

But  Works  with  Faith  could  never  vye, 
And  only  Faith  can  juftify  : 
Yet  ftill  my  juftifying  Faith, 
Nc  juftifying  Value  hath, 

M  *  M 


i68        GOSPEL    SONNETS, 

7- 
Lo  justifying  Grace   from  Heav'n, 
Is   foreign  Ware,  and  freely  given  : 
And   faving  Faith    is  well  content 
To  be   a  meer    Recipient. 

8. 
Faith's  acltve   in  my  Sanclity  ; 
But    here  its    Act   it    will  deify, 
And  frankly  own   it    never  went 
Beyond  a  pajfive  Initrument. 

9- 
I  labour  much  like  holy   Paul, 

And  yet  not  I,  but  Qrace  does  all : 

I  try  to  fpread  my  little  Sails, 

And  wait  for   powerful  moving  Gales. 

10. 

When  Power's  convey'd  I  work,    but  fee: 
'Tis  ftill  his  Power  that  works  in  me, 
I  am  an  Agent  at   his  Call, 
Yet  nothing  am,    for  Grace  is  all. 

II.  Of  Rewards  of  Grace  and  Debt. 
i. 
TN  all  my  Works  I  ftill  regard 
■**  The  Recompence  of  full  Reward  ; 
Yet  fuch  my    Working  is  withal, 
I  look  for  no  Reward  at  ail. 

2. 

God's  my  Reward  exceeding  great, 
No  leiler  Heaven  than  this  I  wait  : 
But  where's  the  earning  Work  fo  broad, 
To  fet  me  up  an  Heir  of  God. 

3- 
Rewards  of  Debt,  Rewards  of  Grace, 
Are  Oppofites  in  every  Cafe  ; 
Yet  fure  I  am    they'll  both  agree, 
Molt,  jointly  in  rewarding  me. 


Part  III.      The  Believer* s  Riddle.  i% 

4- 
Tho'  Hell's  my  juft  Reward  for  Sin, 
Heav'n  as  my  juft  Reward   I'll  win. 
Both   thefe   my  juft  Rewards    I   know, 
Yet  truly  neither  of  them.  fo. 

5- 
Hell   can't  in  Juftice  be  my  Lot, 
Since  Juftice  Satisfaction  got  ; 
Nor  Heav'n  in  Juftice  be  my  Share, 
Since  Mercy  only  brings  me  there, 

6. 
Yet  Heav'n    is  mine  by  folemn  Oath, 
In  Juftice  and  in  Mercy  both  : 
And  God  in  Christ    is  all  my  Truft, 
Becaufe  he's  merciful  and  juft. 


CONCLUSION. 

_|ERE  is  the  Riddle,  where's  the  Man 
.       Of  Judgment  to  expound  ? 
For  Maflers  fam'd  that  cannot  fcan. 
In  Ifrael  may  be  found. 

We  juftly  thefe  in  Wifdom's  Lift 

Eftablifh'd  Saints  may  call, 
Whole    bitter-fweet  Experience  bleft 

Can  clearly  grafp  it  all. 

Some  Babes  in  Grace  may  mint  and  mar, 

Yet  aiming  right  fucceed  : 
But  Strangers  they  in  Ijrael  are. 

Who  not  at  all  can  read. 


G  O  & 


w^MmMiMmimMm 


O     R 

SPIRITUAL 

SONGS. 

PART    IV. 

The  Believer's  Lodging 

while  on  Earth  : 

O    R 

and  Inn 

.//Poem  and  Paraphrafe  upon  Pfal.  lxxxiv. 


Verfe  I.  How  amiable  are  thy  Tabernacles,  0  Lord 
of  Ho/Is  ! 

TEHOVABV  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghoft, 
^    Sole  Monarch  of  the  univerfal  Hoft, 
Whom  the  attendant  Armies  ftill  revere, 
Which  in  bright  Robes  furround  the  higher  Sphere  : 
Whofe  Sov'reign  Empire  fways  the  hellifh  Band 
Of  ranked  Legions  in  th'  infernal  Land  : 
Who  hold'ft  the  Earth  at  thy  unrivall'd  Beck, 
And  ftay'ft  proud  Forces  with  a  humbling  Check  ; 
E'en  thou  whofe  Name  commands  an  awful  Dread, 
Yet  deigns  to  dwell  with  Man  in  very  Deed. 


art  IV.       The  Believer's  Lodging.         ljx 

3  >  what  Refrefhment  fills  the  Dwelling-Place, 
>f  thine  exuberant  unbounded  Grace  ! 
7"hich  with  fweet  Power  does  Joy  and  Praife  extort, 

Z/Ws  Tents  thine  ever-lovM  Refort. 
/here  gladning  Streams  of  Mercy  from  above, 
lake  Souls  brim-full  of  warm  Seraphic  Love. 
>f  fweeteft  Odours  all  thy  Garment  fmeUs,  -^ 

'hy  difmal  Abfence  proves  a  thoufand  Hells,  C 

ut  Heav'ns  of  Joy  are  where  thine  Honour  dwells.  3 

erfe  2.  My  Soul  longeth,  yea  even  faint eth  for  the 
Courts  of  the  Lord:  My  Heart  and  Flefi  crieth  out 
for  the  living  God. 

Tierefore  on  thee  I  center  my  Defire, 

Vhich  vehemently  burfts  out  in  ardent  Fire. 

)eprived,  ah  !  I  languifh  in  my  Plaint, 

ly  Bones  are  feeble^  and  my  Spirits  faint. 

#y  longing  Soul  pants  to  behold  again, 

"hy  Temple  fill'd  with  thy  Majeftick  Train, 

"hefe  Palaees  with  heav'nly  OdoUr  ftrew'd, 

ind  Regal  Courts,  where  Zion's  King  is  view'd  : 

"0  fee  the  Beauty  of  the  Higheft  One, 

Ipon  his  holy  Mount,  his  lofty  Throne  : 

Whence  Virtue  running  from  the  living  Head*. 

eftores  the  Dying,  and  revives  the  Dead. 

'or  him,  my  Heart  witlj,  Cries  repeated  Sounds, 

"o -which  my  Flefti  with'Echoes  loud  rebounds  ; 

or  him,  for  him,  who  Life  in  Death  can  give,     -* 

"or  him,  for  him,  whofe  fole  Prerogative,  C 

3  from,  and  to,  Eternity  to  live,  3 

rerfe  3.  Tea  the  Sparrow  hath  found  an  Houfe,  and 
the  Swallow  a  Neji  for  herfeif  where  Jhe  may  lay 
her  young ;  even  thine  Altar s^  O  Lord  of '  Hojis^  my 
King  and  my  God. 

Uas  !  How  from  thy  lovely  Dwellings  I, 
L«ong  baniih'd,  de  the  happy  Birds  envy  j 

Which 


ij2      GOSPEL   SONNETS. 

"Which  choofing  thy  high  Altars  for  their  Neft, 
On  Rafters  of  thy  Tabernacle  reft. 
Here  dwells  the  Sparrow  of  a  chirping  Tongue, 
And  here  the   Swallow  lays  her  tender  young ; 
Faint  Sacrilege  !  they  feize  the  facred  Spot, 
And  feem  to  glory  o'er  my  abfent  Lot  : 
Yet  fure   I  have  more  fpecial  Right  to  thee, 
Than  all  the  brutal  Hofts  of  Earth   and  Sea  ; 
That  Sov'reign  at  whofe  Government  I  bow, 
Is  wholly  mine  by  his  eternal  Vow; 
My  King  to  rule  my  Heart,  and  quell  my  Foes,  " 
My  God  t'extracl:  my  Well  from  prefent  Woes,  # 
And  crown  with  endlefs  Glory  at  the  Clofe. 

Verfe  4.   Bleffed  are  they  that  dwell  in  thy  Houft 
they  will  bejlill  praifing  thee. 

O  happy  they  that  haunt   thy  Houfe  below, 
And  to  thy  Royal  Sanctuary  flow  : 
Not    for   itfelf,  but  for  the  glorious  One,    ' 
Who  there  inhabits  his  erected  Throne. 
Others  pafs  by,  but  here  their  Dwelling  is  ; 
O  happy   People  crown' d  with  Bays  of  Blifs  ! 
Bleft  with  the  fpendid  Luftre  of  his  Face, 
Bleft  with  the  high  melodious  Sound  of  Grace, 
That  wakens  Souls    into  a  fweet  Amaze, 
And  turns   their  Spirits  to  a  Harp   of  Praife ; 
Which  loudly  makes  the  lower  Temple  ring, 
With  Hallelujahs  to  the  mighty  King  : 
And  thus  they  antedate  the  nobler  Song 
Of  that  celeftial  and  triumphant  Throng,  ( 

Who  warble  Notes  of  Praife  Eternity  along.       ' 

Ver.  4.   BUJfcdis  the  Man  whofe  Strength  is  in  thee- 

What  Weights  of  Blifs  their  happy  Shoulders  load, 
Whofe  Strength  lies  treafur'd  in  a  potent  God  ? 
S(  If-drained  Souls,  yet  flowing  to  the  Brim, 
JBecaufe  void  in  themfelves,  but  full  in  him. 

Adah 


>art  IV.      The  Believer's  Lodging.         ij$ 

idam  the  Firft  difcufs'd  their  Stock  of  Strength.* 
The  Second  well  retriev'd  the  Sum  at  length  : 
Vho  keep'ft  himfelf  a  furer  Hand  indeed, 
ffe  give   not  as  they  lift,  but  as  they  need. 
Vhen  raging  Furies  threaten  fudden  Harms, 
le  then  extends  his  everlafting  Arms; 
Vhen  Satan  drive's  his  pointed  fiery  Darts, 
le  gives  them  Courage  and  undaunted  Hearts, 
To  quell  his  deadly  Force  with  divine  Skill, 
^nd  adds  new  Strength  to  do  their  Sov'reign's  Will. 
■Vhen  fore  harrafs'd  by   fome  outrageous  Luft,     "^ 
le  levelling  its-  Power  unto  the  Duft, 
ylakes  Saints  to  own  him  worthy  of  their  Truft.  !> 

/erfe  6.  In  whofe  Hearts  are  the  Ways  of  them,  whc 
pajfing  through  the  Valley  of  Baca,  make  it  a  IVell  ; 
the  Rain  alfo  filleth  the  Pools. 

luch  Heav'n-born  Souls  are  not  to  Earth  confinM5 
Truth's  Highway  fills  their  elevated  Mind  ; 
They  bound  for  Zion  prefs  with  forward  Aim, 
\.s  IfraeVs  Males  to  old  Jerujalem. 
Their  holy  Path  lies  through  a  parched  Land, 
Through  Oppofitions  nurn'rous  and  grand. 
Traverling  fcorched  Defarts,  ragged  Rocks, 
\nd  Baca's  wicher'd  Vale  like  thirfty  Flock?  j 
ifet  with  unfhaken  Vigour  homeward  go, 
^Jot  mov'd   by   all  oppofmg  Harms  below. 
They  digging  Wells  on  this  Gilboa  Top, 
The  Vale  of  Achor  yields  a  Door  of  Hope ; 
"or  Heaven  in  Plenty  does  their  Labour  crown. 
By  making  filver  Showers  to  trickle  down  : 
Till  empty  Pools  imbibe  a  pleafant  Fill,  -y 

And  weary  Souls  are  hearten'd  up  the  Hill,  C- 

3y  marTy  Drops  of  Joy  which  down  diftil.         Jfr 

Verfe 


1  U  U  5  Jf  tL  Lj     5  U  JN  JN  tL  T  3. 

Verfe  7.   They  go  from  Strength  to  Strength^  every  0) 
of  them  appear eth  in  Zion  before  God, 

Thus  they  refrefhed  by  fuperior  Aid, 

Are  not  defatigated  nor  difmay'd, 

Became  they  are,  O  Truth  of  awful  Dread  ! 

As  potent  as  Jehovah  in  their  Head. 

Hence  they  fhall  travel  with  triumphant  Minds, 

In  fpite  of  ragged  Paths  and  boift'rous  Winds. 

The  rougheft  Ways  their  Vigour  ne'er  abates, 

Each  new  AiTault  their  Strength  redintegrates. 

When  they,  through  mortal  Blows  feem  to  giveo'e. 

Their  Strength  but  intermitting  gathers  more. 

And  thus  they  with  unweary'd  Zeal  endu'd, 

Still  as  they  journey  have  their  Strength  renew'd. 

So  glorious  is  the  Race  that  once  begun, 

Each  one  contends  his  Fellow  to  out-run  : 

'Till  all  uniting  in  a  glorious  Band, 

Before  the  Lamb's  high  Throne  adoring  ftand,      t 

And  harp  his  lofty  Praife  in  Zion  Land.  ■  _ 

Verfe  8.  0  Lord  God  of  Ho/Is  hear  my  Prayer,  givt 
ear,  O  God  of  Jacob. 

Great  God  of  numerous  Hofts,  who  reigns  alone 

The  fole  Pofleflbr  of  th'Imperial  Throne ; 

Since  mental  Tafles  of  thy  delicious  Grace, 

So  fweetly  relifti  in  thy  holy  Place : 

This  is  the  Subject  of  my  tabled  Pray'r, 

To  have  the  Villon  of  thy  Glory  there. 

O  let  my  Cry  pierce  the  ethereal  Frame, 

And  Mercy's  Echo  follow  down  the  fame. 

Omnifcient  Being,  favour  my  Defire. 

Hide  not  thy  Goodnefs  in  paternal  Ire  : 

Why  thou  haft  given  in  an  eternal  Band, 

To  Jacob  and  his  Seed  thy  Royal  Hand, 

And  premis'd  by  thy  facred  Deity,  " 

His  King  and  covenanted  God  to  be, 

Therefore  my  Hopes  are  ceater'd  all  in  thee, 

Ver:; 


The  Believers  Lodging.         175 

erfe  9.    Behold,  0  God  our  Shield,  and  look  upon  the 
Face  of  thine  Anointed. 

Imnipotent,  whofe  Armour  none  can  wield, 
ion's,  great  Buckler  and  defeirlive  Shield  j 
hy  pure  untainted  Eyes  cannot  behold 
)eformed  Mortals  in  their  finful  Mold  ; 
Inlefs  their  Names  be  graved  on  the  Breaft 
)f  Zion's  holy  confecrated  Prieft. 
Vhen  they  his  white  and  glorious  Garment  wear, 
lien  Sin  and  Guilt  both  wholly  difappear  : 
ecaufe  o'erwhelmed  in  the  crimfon  Flood, 
aid  Oaean  of  a  dying  Surety's  Blood  j 
"hey  alfo,  veiled  with  his  radiant  Grace, 
Leflecl:  the  Luftre  of  his  holy  Face, 
"hey're  not  themfelves  now,  but  divinely  trim  ; 
or  wholly  what  they  are,  they  are  in  him : 
^.nd  hence  Jehovah's  all-difcerning  Eye  p  ' 

Cannot  in  them  efpy  Deformity  5 
hien  look  on  him ,  Lord,  and  in  him  on  me.         ^ 

/"erfe  10.  For  a  Day  in  thy  Courts  is  better  than  a 
Thoufand :  I  had  rather  be  a  Door- Keeper  in  the 
Houfe  of  my  God,  tJjan  dwell  in  the  Tents  of 
Wickednefs. 

day  I  poflefs  as  thy  domeftick  Child, 
The  Houfe  that  by  Jehovah's  Name  is  ftiPd  : 
"or  Royal  Glories  deck  thefe  Courts  of  thine, 
*Vhich  with  majeftick  Rays  fo  brightly  mine, 
That  mould  my  Mind  prefent  an  Earth  of  Gold, 
.\s  full  of  worldly  Joys  as  Earth  can  hold  : 
Sweet  Grace  fo  fills  thy  Houfe,  Pd  grudge  to  fparc 
3ne  Moment  here,  for  thoufand  Ages  there. 
No  earthly  Object  mall  my  Love  confine, 
jFhat  Being  which  pofiefTes  all  is  mine  : 
jMy  Spirit  therefore  rather  would  embrace 
Uhe  meaneft  Office  in  his  holy  Place, 
(I  And 


ij6       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

And  by  the  Threfliold  of  his  Houfe  within, 
Than  fit  in  Splendor   on  a  Throne  of  Sin. 
In  Jefus  Courts  I'd  choofe  the  loweft  Place, 
At  his  Saint's  Feet,   fa  I  might  fee  his  Face. 
Yea,  tho'  my  Lamp  of  outward  Peace  mould  burn  ) 
Moft  brightly,   yet  I  would  incefTant  mourn,  > 

While  in  a  wicked  Mejhech  I  fojourn.  3 

Verfe  1 1.  For  the  Lord  God  is  a  Sun  and  Shield :  he 
will  give  Grace  and  Glory  ;  and  no  good  Xhing  wilt 
he  withhold  from  them  that  walk  uprightly. 

For  God  the  Lord,  whofe  Courts  I  love  to  haunt, 
Is  every  Thing  that  empty  Souls  can  want : 
A  Sun  for  Light,    a  Shield  for  Strength  ;    yea  more 
On  Earth  he  gives  his  Grace,   in  Heav'n  his  Glore. 
This  radiant  Sun  of   Life  and  Light  the  Source, 
Scatters  the  Shades  by's  circum  ambient  Courfe  ; 
Yea,  guides  bemifted  Souls  with  heartfom  Beams^ 
And  glorioufly  irradiating  Gleams. 
This  mafly  Shield   is  polifh'd  bright  with  Pow'r, 
For  helping  Weaklings   in  a  perilous  Hour. 
Here's  all   that  weary  Trav'lers  would  have, 
A  Sun  to  cherifh,   and  a  Shield  to  fave. 
Grace  alfo  here  h  given  t'adorn  the  Soul, 
And  yield  to  Glory  in  the  heavenly  Pole. 
All  divine  Treafure  to  the  Saint  is  due, 
Nothing's  deny'd,  if  Truth  itfelf  be  true. 
The  Treafure   is  fo  vaft   it  can't  be  told, 
Nothing  that  God  can  give,    will  God  withhold. 
To  whom  he  doth   his  faving  Grace  impart, 
To  them  to  gives  himfelf,  his  Hand,  his  Heart: 
Uprightnefs  too  of  Heart  and  Life  does  fall 
Unto  their  Share,  who  having  him,   have  all. 
In  them  the  Grace  he  gives,   he  ftill  regards,  , 
Gives  Holinefs,  and  then  his  Gift  rewards. 

For 


Part  IV.       The  Believer's  Lodging.  ijj 

For  to  his  own  upright    and    divine  Brood,  ~p 

He's  bound  to  grant  e'en  all  that's  great  and  good,  v 
B/s  own  fure  Word,  firmOath,  and  facred  Blood.  V 

Verfe  it.  0  Lord  God  of  Hojis^  blejfedu  the  Man, 
that  trujieth   in  thee. 

O  then  Jehovah,  God  of  Armies  Itrong, 
0  To  whom  the  Pow'rs  of  Earth  and  Heav'n  belong. 
How  vaiily  blefTed  is  the  fixed  Man, 
Who  by  a  firm  fiducial  Boldnefs   can, 
Thro'  Grace  and  Strength  difpenfed  from  above, 
Sc  fweetly  fcan  the  Heignt  of  divine  Love, 
As  to  derive  his  Comfort    wholly  thence, 
J  And  on  this  Rock  to  found  his  Confidence  ? 
Whofe  Faith  has  rear'd  up  for  a  firm  Aoode, 
A  ftable  Building  on   a  living  God. 
Who  fpoil'd  of  human  Props  both  great  and  fmall, 
Does    choofe  a  Triun  Deity  for  all. 
What  Scrolls  of   Blifs  are  in  this  ail  inroli'dy 
[s  too  fubiime  for  Seraphs  to  unfold  : 
Sift  hum  -  Wifdom   m    a  deep  Amaze,  -^ 

Let  rapwi.  floods  of  Life  his  Glory  raife,  C 

Till  T\.  te  be  drown'd  in  his  eternal  Pralfe.        3 

ixercife  for  the  Believer  in  his  Lodging, 
four-fold. 


1.   The   HO  LT  LAW. 

Or  the  Ten  Commandments,  Exod.  xx.  3,  && 

1\  O  God  but  me  thou  (halt  adore. 

No  Image  frame  to  bow  before, 
(My  holy  Name  take  not  in  vain, 
My  facred  Sabbath  don't  profane^ 

N  5' 


178        GOSPEL     SONNETS. 

5.  To  Parents  render  due  Refpecl:. 

6.  -All  Murder  fhun,  and  Malice  check. 

7.  From  Filth  and  Whoredom  bafe  abftain. 
S.  From  Theft  and  all  unlawful  Gain. 

9.  Falfe  Witnefs  flee,  and  flandering  Spite. 

10.  Nor  covet  what's  thy  Neighbour's  Right. 


2.  TheU  N  HO  LT    HEART. 

The  direct  Oppofite  to  God's  Law,  Rom.  vii.  14. 
Or  the  Knowledge  of  Sin  by  the  Law,  Rom,  iii.  2<3 

1.  ]\ /f  Y  Heart's  to  many  Gods  a  Slave. 

2.  •*-*■*■  Of  Imagery  an  hideous  Cave. 

3.  An  Hoard  of  God-difhon'ring  Crimes. 

4.  A  Walter  bafe  of  holy  Times. 

5.  A  Throne  of  Pride  and  Self-Conceit. 

6.  A  Slaughter-Houfe  of  Wrath  and  Hate. 

7.  A  Cage  of  Birds  and  Thoughts  unclean. 

8.  A  Den  of  Thieves  and  Frauds  unfeen. 

9.  An  Heap  of  Calumnies  unfpent. 
ie.  A  Gulf  of  Greed  and  Difcontent. 


3.     TheGLORIOUS    GOSPEL, 

Or  Christ  the  End_of  the  Law  for  Righteoufnefs 
Rom.  x.  4. 

And  the  abfolute  Need  of  this  Remedy  infer'd 
from  the  Premifes. 

HENCE  I  conclude  and  clearly  fee 
There's  by  the  Law  no  Life  for  me  ; 
Which  damns  each  Soul  to  endlefs  Thrall, 
Whofe  Heart  and  Life  fulfils  not  all. 
What  mail  I  do  ;  unlefs  for  Bail,     . 
I  from  the  Law  to  Grace  appeal  t 


"Part  IV.       The  Believer's  Lodging.         jjg 

She  reigns  thro'  Jesus'  Righteoufhefs, 

Which  giving  Juftice  full  Redrefs ; 

On  Grace's  Door  this  Motto  grav'd, 

Let  Sin  be  damn'd,  and  Sinners  fav'd. 

O  Wifdom's  deep  myfterious  Way  !  my 

Lo,  at  this  Door  I'll  waiting  flay,  C 

'Till  Sin  and  Hell  both  pafs  away.  3 

But  in  this  Blifs  to  (hew  my  Part,  "^« 

Grant,  through  thy  Law  grav'd  in  my  Heart,   £-'• 
My  Life  may  fhew  thy  graving  Art.  -> 


4.  The  PRATER  of  FAITH. 

Which  may  be  conceived  in  the  following  Word$ 

of  a  certain  Author, 

QUMtuus  in  Vita,  tua  funt  mea  fuikra,  Chriite, 

Da  precor,  Imperii  Sceptra  tenere  tui. 
?ur  etenim,  moriens,  tot  Vainer  a  Java  tuli/ii9 
j.   Si  nonfum  Regni  Portio  parva  tui? 
lurrigido  latuit  tua  Vita  inclufa  fepulchro* 

Si  non  eji  mea  Mors  Mortefugata  tua  ? 
^rgo  mihi  oertam  praftes,  O  Chrifte,  Salutem* 

Meque  tuo  latum  Sanguine  Chrife  juva. 

Which  may  be  thus  EngUjbed$ 
rEsus,  Pm  thine  in  Life  and  Death, 

Oh  let  me  conqu'ring  hold  thy  Throne. 
Vhy  fhar'd  the  Crofs  thy  vital  Breath, 

If  not  to  make  me  ihare  thy  Crown  I 
Vhy  laid  in  jail  of  cruel  Grave, 
'1  If  not  thy  Death  from  Death  me  free  ? 
lien,  Lord,  infure  the  Blifs  I  crave, 

Seal'd  with  thy  Blood,  and  fuccgur  me, 

Na  GGS- 


GOSPEL  SONNETS 

O     R 

SPIRITUAL    SON      & 


PART    V. 

The  Believer's  Soliloquy;  efpecially 
Times  of  Defer t ion,  'Temptation,  AfflittL 
&c. 


SECT.    I. 

The  defer  ted  Believer  lo?igingfor  perfefi  Freec 
from  Sin, 

i. 

AH  mournful  Cafe  !  what  can  afford 
Contentment,  when  an  abfent   Lord 
Will  now  his  Kindnefs  neither  prove, 
By  Smiles  of  Grace,  nor  Lines  of  Love  ? 

2. 
What  Heart  can  joy,    what  Soul  can  iing^ 
While  Winter  pver-runs  the  Spring  ? 
I  die,  yet  can't   my  Death  condole  . 
J-ord,  fave  adding,  drooping  Soui. 


'art  Y.       l?he  Believer's  Soliloquy.  181 

3- 
i  Pain,  yet  unconcern'd,  I  live, 
.nd  languifh  when  I  fhould  believe, 
ord,  if  thou  ceafe  to  come  and  ftay, 
[y  Soul  in  Sin  will  pine  away„ 

4" 
l  Sin,  whofe  111  no  Tongue   can  tell, 

b  live  is  Death,  to   die  is    Hell  : 

fave,  if  not  from  Thrall's  Arreft, 

et  fave  me;  Lord^frum  Sin  at   leail. 


his  for  his  Merit's  Sake  I  feek, 
7hofe  Blood  and  Wounds  do  Mercy  fpeak  ; 
Hio  left  the  Ranks  of  glorious  Choirs, 
nd  heavenly  Flow ers  for  earthly  Briars. 

6. 
ur  Sampjon  took  an  holy  Nap 
pon  our  feeble  Nature's  Lap  : 
2  wand'ring  in  a  Pilgrim's  Weed, 
d  tafte  our  Griefs?  to  help  our  Need. 

7- 
.rth's   Fury  did  upon  him   light, 

>w  black  was  Herod's  cruel  Spite  I. 

ho  to  be  fure   of  murd'ring  one, 

ft  he  be  fpar'd  did  pity  none  ! 

8. 
•11  hunts  the  Babe  a  few  Days  old, 
lat  came  to  rifle  Satan's  Fold  ; 
I  Hands  purfu'd  him  e'en  to  Death, 
lat   cjune  to  fave  from  Sin  and  Wrath. 

9- 

Mercy  !  Ignorant  of  Bounds  ! 

hicn  all  created  Thought  confounds; 

ran  outright  a  faving  Race, 
:  them  that  unto  peath  him   chafe. 

N  3  Iff, 


its      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

10. 

O  Sin  !  how  heavy  is  thy  Weight, 
That  preft  the  glorious  God  of  Might  ! 
'Till  proftrate  on  the  freezing  Ground, 
He  fweat  his  clotced  Blood  around. 

1 1. 

His  Hand  the  ponderous  Globe  does  prop, 
This  Weight  ne'er  made  him  fweat  a  Drop  : 
"But  when  Sin's  Load  upcn  him  lies,  , 
He  falls  and  fweats,  and  groans  arid  dies. 

Alas !  if  God  fink  under  Sin, 
How  mall  the  Man  that  dies  therein  ? 
How  deeply  down,  when  to  the  Load, 
He  adds  the  flighted  Blood  of  God  ? 

Lord,  let  thy  Fall  my  Rife  obtain, 
Thy  grievous  Shame  my  Glory  gain  ; 
Thy  Crofs  my  tailing  Crown  procure  j 
Thy  Death  my  endlefs  Life  infur*. 

14. 

O  fend  me  down  a  Draught  cf  Love, 
Or  take  me  hence  to  drink  above  : 
Here  Marab's  Water  fills  my  Cup, 
But  there  all  Griefs  are  fwaliow'd  up. 

Love  here  is  fcarce  a  faint  Defire, 
But  there  the  Spark's  a  flaming  Fire. 
Joys  here  are  Drops  that  patting  flee, 
JBut  there  an  ever-ilowing  Sea, 

16. 

My  Faith  that  fees  fo  darkly  here, 
Wiil  there  refign  to  Vifion  clear  : 
My  Hope  that's  here  a  we^ry  Groan, 
'Will  to  Fruition  yield  &e  Tin  one. 


.17 


The  Believer's  Soliloquy,  1 83 

hlere  Fetters  hamper  Freedom's  Wing, 
But  there  the  Captive  is  a  King  : 
^nd  Grace  is  like  ?..  bury'd  Seed, 
3ut  Sinners  there  are  Saints  indeed. 

18. 

Vly  Portion's  here  a  Crumb  at  befl, 
But  there  the  Lamb's  eternal  Feafi:  : 
Mb'  Praife  is  now  a  fmother'd  Fire, 
Buc  then  I'll  fing  and  never  tire. 

l9 

>Jow  dufky  Shadows  cloud  my  Day, 

But  then  the  Shades  will  flee  away  : 

VI  v  Lord  will  break  the  dimming  Glafs, 

f\.nd  (hew  his  Glory  Face  to  Face. 

20. 
My  numerous  Foes  now  beat  me  down, 
But  then  I'll  wear  the  Victor's  Crown  ; 
Yet  all  the  Revenues  I'll  bring, 
To  XMs  everlafting  King. 


SECT.     II. 

The  defer  ted  Be  L I E  ve  r's  Prayer  under  Complaints  of 
Unbelief i  Darknefsy  Deadnefs^   and  Hardnefs. 

1. 

*!  X7HxVT  means  this  wicked  wand'ring  Heart ? 

*  ▼       This  trembling  Ague  of  my  Soul  ? 
Would  Jefus  but  a  Look  impart, 

One  Look  from  him  would  make  nie  whole, 
2. 
But  will  he  turn  to  me  his  Face, 

From  tf-hom  be  juftly  did  withdraw  ?. 
To  me  wl'i )  Uigi  ted  all  that  Grace, 
1 i>.  1  Experience  faw. 

3« 


.xil4       GOSPEL  SONNETS. 

Lord,   for  thy  Promife  fake    return, 
Apply  thy  pard'ning,  cleaning  Blood, 

Look  down   with  Pity   on  a  Worm, 
With  Cov'nant  Mercy  do  me  good. 

4- 
When  thy  free  Sp'rit    the  Word  applies, 

And  kindly  tells  me   thou  art  mine, 
My  faithlefs    finking  Heart  replies, 

Ah  Lord  !  I  wifti   I  could  be  thine. 

.  5- 
My  Faith's  fo  nighted   in  my  Doubts,    , 

I  call   the  ofFer'd  Good  away, 
And  lefe    by  railing  vain  Difputes 

The  wonted  Bleffings   of  the  Day. 
6. 
Was  e'er  one  prefs'd  with  fuch  a  Load, 

Or  pierc'd  with  fuch  an  unfeen  Dart? 
To  find  at  once  an  abfent  God, 

And  yet  alas  !  a  carelefs  Heart. 

7\ 
Such   Grief  as  mine,  a  grieflefs  Grief, 

Did  ever  any  Mortal  fliare  ? 

An  hopelefs  Hope,    a    lifelefs  Life, 

Or  fuch  unwonted   carelefs  Care  ? 

8. 
'Tis  fad,  Lord  !  when  for  Night's  Solace, 

Nor  Moon,   nor  ftarry  Gleams  appear  $ 
Yet  worie  when  in  this  difmal  Cafe, 

My  Heart  is  harden'd  from  thy  Fear. 

9- 
It  wa'ht  becaufe  no  Showers  did  flow 

Of  heavenly  Manna  at  my  Door  -9 

But  by  my  Folly    I'm   into 

A  vv'Oi'fe  Condition  than  before, 


[», 


'art  V.        *£he  Believer's  Soliloquy,  i$g 

10. 
Come,  Lord,  with  greater  Power,    for  why, 

Mine  fure  is  not  a  common  Cafe  -3 
Thou  offer'it  to  unvail,  yet  I 

Do  fcarce  incline  to  fee  thy  Face. 

11. 

Such  languid,    faint  Defires  I  feel, 

Within  this  wicked    ftupid  Heart  ; 
[  fhould,  I  would,  but  that  I  will, 

I  hardly  dare  with  Truth  aflert. 

12. 

0  to  be  free  of  that  vile    Wrack, 
That  bafely  keeps  me  from  my  God  : 

[  flee  from  thee,  Lord,    bring  me  back 
By  tender  Love  or  by  thy  Rod, 

13. 
n  Paths  of  Righteoufnefs  direct, 

New  Proofs  of  thy  Remiflion  give. 
Then  of  thy  Name  I'll  mention  make, 

With  grateful  Praifes  while  I  live. 

14. 
3n  Banks  of  Mercy's  boundlefs  deep, 

With  fweeter  Eafe  I'll  foar  and  fmg  ; 
Than  Kings  of  feather'd  Hofts,  that  fweep 

1  he  oozy  Shore  with  eafy  Wing. 

3ut  if  thy  Mind  omnifcient   know, 

I'm  for  this  abfent  Blifs  unfit, 
jive  Grace  to  hate   my  Sins,   and  to 

Their  righteous  Punifhment    fubmit. 


"to* 

l6. 


5ut  \tt  me   ne'er  thy  Spirit  lack, 
That  by  his  Aid   my  Prayers  may  come 

before  him,  who  can  wifely   make 
E'en  Diftance  lead  his  People  home. 


J6      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

'7- 
Deep  Wifdom  can  my  Soul  prepare,  " 

By  prefent  Woes  for  abfent  Blifs. 
By  acid  Griefs  that  now  I  fhare, 

He  can  convey  the  Joys  i  mifs. 

iS. 
Who  all  from  nothing's  Womb  difclos'd, 

Can  make  th'  amazing  Product  ceafe  -, 
With  him  our  Order  is  confus'd, 

By  him  Confufion  brings  forth  Peace* 

'9- 
Then,  Lord,  ne'er  let  me  ba fely  fpurn 

Againit  thy  fearchlefs  unknown  ways; 
But  magnify'thy  Work,  and  turn 

My  Groans  and  Murmurs  into  Pratfe. 

20. 

Let  me  fubmiffive  while  I  Jive, 

Thy  awAi  Jufticeown  with  Fear  : 

Yet  pennve  lee  me  never  grieve 
Thy  tender  Mercy  by  Defpair. 

21. 
Since  tho'  by  Sin  I  foully  fwerv'd, 

And  leudly  from  my  Glory  fell, 
I'm  chaiten'd  here,  and  not  referv'd 

To  feel  the  weight  of  Sin  in  Hell. 

22. 

Thy  high  Right-Hand's  once  joyful  Days, 

In  my  Diftrefs  I'll  call  to  mind  : 
And  own  that  all  thy  darkeff.  Ways 

Will  clearly  prove  thee  good  and  kind. 


SECT, 


The  Believer's  ttolikqiiy.  187 


SECT.     III. 

The  BELIEVER  wading  through  D?ep$  of  Defer  tioti 
and  Corruption.      ^ 

LORD,  when  thy  Face  thou  hid'ft 
And  leav'ft  me  long  to  plore, 
I  faithlefs  doubt  of  all  thou  didft 
And  wrought'ir,  for  me  before. 

2. 
No  Marks  of  Love  I  find. 
No  Grains  of  Grace,  but  Wracks  ; 
No  Track  of  Heaven  is  Mt  behind, 
No  Groan^  no  fmoking  Flax. 

1  3- 

But  fay,  if  all  the  Gufts 

And  Grains  of  Love  be  fpent, 

Say,  farewsl  Chrift^  and  welcome  Lufls  j 

Stop,  flop,  I  melt,  I  faint. 

4- 
Lord,  yet  thou  haft  my  Heart, 

This  Bargain  black  I  hate, 

I  dare  not,  cannot,  will  not  part 

With  thee  at  fuch  a  rate. 

Once,  like  a  Father  good, 
Thou  didft  with  Grace  perfume  j 
Waft  thou  a  Father,  to  conclude 
With  dreadful  Judge's  Doom  ? 

■  6. 

Confirm  thy  former  Deed? 
Reform  what  is  defii'd, 
I  was,  I  am,  I'll  ftill  abide 

Thy  Choice,  thy  Charge,  thy  Child, 


*$$       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

7- 

Love -Seals  thou  didfl  impart, 
Lockt  up  in  Mi 'id    I  Juve  ; 
Hell  cannot  raze   out  of  my  Heart, 
What  Heaveix  did  there  engrave. 


Thou  once  didfr.  make  me  whole 
By  thy   Almighty  Hand  : 
Thou  mad'ft  me  yow  and  gift  my  Soul  $ 
'  Both  Vow  and  Gift  (hall  itand. 

9- 

But  fince  my   Folly  grofs 

My  joyful  Cup  did  fpill, 
Make  me  the  Captive  of  thy  Crofs, 
Submiflive   to  thy  Will. 

10. 

Self,  in  myfelf  I  hate, 

That's  Matter  of  my  Groan ; 
Nor  can  I  rid  me  from  the  Mate, 

That   caufes   me  to  moan. 
1 1. 

O  Trail,  unconftant  Flefh  ! 

Soon  trapt   in  every  Gin  ; 
Soon  turn'd,  o'erturn'd,  and  fo,afrefh 

Plung'd  in  the  Gulf  of  Sin. 

12. 

Shall  I  be  Slave  to  Sin, 
My  Lord's  moft    bloody  Foe  ? 
T  feel  its  powerful  Sway  within, 
How  long  mall  it  be  fo  ? 

How   long,  Lord,  fhall  I  ftay  ? 
How  long  in   Alejbech  here  ? 
Dishonouring  thee  from  Day  to  Day, 
Whole  Name's  to  me  fo  dear. 


H 


Part  V.       *f hi  Believer's  Soliloquy.  1J9 

14. 
While  Sin,  Lord,  breeds  by  Grief, 
And  makes   me  fadiy  pine  ; 
With  Biinks  of  Grace  O  grant  Relief, 
'Till  Beams  of  Glory  fhine. 

SECT.    IV. 

Complaint  of  Siny  Sorrozv,  and  Want  of  Lov?% 

i- 

IF  black  Doom  by  Defert  mould   go, 
Then,  Lord,  my  due  Defert  is  Death  ; 
Which  robs  from  Souls   immortal  Joy, 
And  from  their  Bodies  mortal  Breath. 

2. 

But  in   fo  great  a  Saviour, 

Can  e'er  fo  bafe  a  Worm's  Annoy 
Add  any  Glory  to  thy  Power, 
I  Or  any  Gladnefs   to  thy  Joy  ? 

3' 
Thou  juftly  may  ft  me  doom  to  Death, 

And  everlafting  Flames  of  Fire  5 

But  on  a  Wretch   to   pour  thy  Wrath, 

Can  never  fure  be  worth  thine  Ire, 

4* 
Since   Jesus  the  Atonement  was, 

Let  tender  Mercy  me  releafe  ; 

Let  him  be  Umpire  of  my  Caufe, 

A; id  pais  the  gladfcm  Doom  of  Peace. 

5- 

Let  —         forgive,  and   Love   forget 

M)  b  lie,  my  vile  Apoflafy  ; 
And  temper  thy   deferved  Hate 

With  Love  and  Mercy  toward  me, 


igo       GUSEL    SONNETS. 

6. 
The  rufsling  Winds  and  raging  Blafts 

Hold  me  in  conilant  cruel  chafe  ; 
They  break  my  Anchors,  Sails,  and  Mails, 

Allowing  no  repofing  Place. 

*  7' 

The  boifProus  Seas  with  fwelling  Floods, 

On  every  fide  againft  me  fight. 

Heav'n  oyercaft  with  flormy  Clouds, 

Dims  all  the  Planets'  guiding  Light. 

8. 
The  hellifh  Furies  lie  in  wait 

To  win  my  Soul  into  their  Power  : 
To  make  me  bite  at  every  Bait, 

And  thus  my  killing  Bane  devour. 

I  lie  inchain'd  in  Sin  and  Thrall, 
Next  Border  unto  black  Defpair  ;     s 

'Till  Grace  reftore  and- of  my  Fall, 
The  doleful  Ruins  all  repair. 

10. 

My  kov'ring  Thoughts  would  flee  to  Glore, 

And  neitle  fafe  above  the  Sky  ; 
Fain  would  my  tumbling  Ship  afhore 

At  that  {'are  Anchor  quiet  lie. 

ii. 

But  mounting  Thoughts  are  haled  dowii 
With  heavy  Poife  of  corrupt  Load  ; 

And  bluft'ring  Storms  deny  with  Frown 
An  Harbour  of  fecure  Abode. 

12. 

To  drown  the  Wight  that  wakes  the  Blaft> 
Thy  Sin-fubduing  Grace  afford  ; 

The  Storm  might  ceafe,  could  I  but  call 
This  troublous  Jonah  over-board. 


Part  V.        The  Believers  bolilequy.  191 

Bafe  Flefh  with  flefhly  Pleafures  gain'd, 

Sweet  Grace's  kindly  Suit  declines  ; 
When  Mercy  courts  me  for  its  Friend, 

Anon  my  fordid  Fiem  repines. 

-     H- 
Soar  up,  my  Soul,  to  Tabor  Hill, 

Caft  off  this  loathfom  prefiing  Load  ; 
Long  is  the  Date  of  thine  Exile, 

While  abfent  from  thy  Lord,  thy  God. 

Dote  not  on  earthly  Weeds  and  Toys, 
Which  do  not,  cannot  fuit  thy  Tafte  : 

The  Flowers  of  everlafting  Joys 
Grow  up  apace  for  thy  Repaft, 

16. 
Saith  that  the  glorious  God  above, 

In  Jesus  bears  a  Love  to  thee  -> 
How  bafe,  how  brutifh  is  thy  Love 

Of  any  Being  lefs  than  he  ? 


Who  for  thy  Love  did  choofe  thy  Grief, 

Content  in  Love  to  live  and  die  : 
Who  lov'd  thy  Love  more  than  his  Life,  , 

And  with  his  Life  thy  Love  did  buy. 

18. 
Jince  then  the  God  of  richeft  Love 

With  thy  poor  Love  enamour'd  is  j 
rlowhigh  a  Crime  will  thee  reprove, 

If  not  enamour'd  deep  with  his  I 

19- 
lince  on  the  verdant  Field  of  Grace, 

His  Love  does  thine  fo  hot  purfue  ; 

et  Love  meet  Love  with  chafte  Embrace, 

Thy  Mite  a  thgufaud- fold  is  due. 


x92     GOSPEL    SONNETS. 


20. 


I 


Rife,   Love,  thou   early  Heaven,  and  fingfc 
"i  oung  litt;e  Dawn  of  endiefs  Day  : 

I'll  on   thy   mounting  fiery  Wing 
In  joyful  Raptures  melt  away. 

SECT.    V. 

The  defericd  Soul's  Prayer  for  the  Lord's  gracious  an 
Sin-fubduivg  Prefence. 

T/'IND  Jesus,    come   in  Love  to  me, 
•*-  *    And   make  no  longer  flay  ; 
Or  elfe   receive  my  Soul    to  thee. 
That  breathes    to  be  away. 

2. 
A  Lazar  at  thy  Gate   I  Uq9 

As. well  it  me  becomes, 
For  Children's  Bread    afham'd  to  cry, 

O  grant  a  Dog  the  Crumbs. 

3- 
My  Vi  punas  and  Rags   my  Need  proclaim, 

Ti.iv    needful  Help  infure  : 
My  Wounds  bear  Witnefs  that  I'm  lame, 

My   Rags   that  I  am  poor. 

4- 
1>.ou  many  at  thy  Door    doll  feed, 

With  Mercy  when  diftreft ; 

O   wilt  thou  not  fhew  an  Alms  Deed 

To  me  among  the  reft  i 


o 


5- 
Hone  elfe  can  give  my  Soul  relief, 

None  elfe   can  e'afe  my  Moan, 

But  he  whole  Abfence   is  my  Grief: 

All  other  Joys   be  gone. 


The  Believers  soliloquy.  19$ 

6. 

low  can  I  ceafe   from  fad  Complaint? 

How  can  I  be  at  reft  ? 
\&y  Mind  can  never  be  content 

To  want  my  noble  Gueft. 

7- 
3rop  down,  mine  Eyes,    and  never  tire, 

Ceafe  not  on  any  Terms, 
fjntil  I  have  my  Heart's  Defire, 

My  Lord  within  mine  Arms. 

8. 
vly  Heartr  my  Hand,  my  Spirits  fail, 

When  hiding  off  he  goes  ; 
Vly  Flefh,   my  Foes,  my  Lufts  prevail. 

And  work  my  daily  Woes, 

9- 

When  mall  I  fee  that  glorious  Sight 

Will  all  my  Sins  deftroy  ? 
That  Lord  of  Love,  that  Lamp  of  Light, 

Will  banifh  all  Annoy  ? 
10. 
3  could  I  but   from  Sinning  cea(e3 

And  wait  on  Pi/gab's  Hill, 
Jntrl  I  fee  him  Face  to  Face, 

Then  mould  my  Soul  be  ftill. 

11. 

ce  Corruption    cleaves  to  me, 
While  I  in  Kedar  dwell  j 
3  give  me   Leave  to  long  for  thee? 
For  Abfence  is  a  Hell. 

12. 
Thy  Glory  mould  be  dear  to  me, 

Who  me  fo  dear  haft  bought : 
0  fave  from  rendring  111  to  theer 
for  Good  which  thou  haft  wrought* 

Q  *3* 


IQ4  KjUSrtLL,      bU  JN   JN  JLl  1  5. 

13- 
With  Fear  I  crave,  with  Hope  I  cry, 

Oh  promis'd  Favour  fend  ; 
Be  thou  Thyfelf,  tho'  Changeling  I 

Ungratefully  offend. 

14. 
Cut  of  thy  way  remove  the  Lets, 

Cleanfe  this  polluted  Den  ; 
Tender  my  Suits,  cancel  my  Debts, 

Sweet  Jesus,  fay  Amen. 


SECT.     VI. 

TJje  Sin*  of  Heaven  defired  by  Saints  on  Earth. 

1. 

A  URORA  vails  her  rofy  Face, 
-Tk    VVhen  brighter  Phoebus  takes  her  Place  : 
So  glad  will  Grace  resign  her  Room, 
To  Glory  in  the  heav'nly  Home. 

2. 
Happy  the  Company  that's  gone 
From  Crofs  to  Crown,  from  Thrall  to  Throne ; 
How  loud  they  fing  upon  the  Shore, 
To  which  they  fail'd  in  Heart  before  ! 

3- 

fakh  the  Word, 
Lord  -, 

her  fide  of  Death, 
Thus  joyful  fpca'd  their  praiiing  Breath  : 

4-     ' 
"  Dea;h  from  all  Death  has  fetus  free, 

*'  And  will  our  Gain  forever  b 

ith  k>v,;?;i  the  mafly  Chains  of  Wo, 

iC  To-let  the  mournful  Ca^t  ves  go, 


5 art  V.       The  Believer's  Soliloquy.  195 

5- 
6  Death  is  to  us  a  fweet  Repofe  ; 
e  The  Bud  was  op'  to  fhew  the  Rofe  : 
«  The  Cage  was  broke  to  let  us  fly,. 
And  build  our  happy  Neft  on  high 

6. 
[*  Lo,  here  we  do  triumphant  reign, 

And  joyful  fing  in  lofty  Strain  : 
;i  Lo,  here  we  reft,  and  love  to  be, 

Enjoying  more  than  Faith  could  fee. 


The  thoufandth  Part  we  now  behold, 
By  mortal  Tongues  was  never  told ; 
We  got  a  Tafte,  but  now  above, 
"  We  forage  in  the  Fields  of  Love. 


iC  Faith  once  ftole  down  a  diftant  If  ifs, 

iC  Now  Love  cleaves  to  the  Cheek  of  Blifs 

6<  Beyond  the  Fears  of  more  Mimap 

u  We  gladly  reft  in  Glory's  Lap. 

9- 
"  Earth  was  to  us  a  Seat  of  War, 

In  Thrones  of  Triumph  now  we  are. 

We  long'd  to  fee  our  Jefus  dear, 

And  fought  him  there,  but  find  him  here, 

ic. 

c  We  walk  in  white  without  annoy, 
In  glorious  Galleries  of  Joy  ; 
And  crown'd  with  everlafting  Bays. 
We  rival  Cherubs  in  their  Praife 


a 


I  I . 

No  longer  we  complain  of  Want?, 
r*  We  fee  the  glorious  King  of  Saints 
6  ^lvndfl  bis  joyful  Hofts  around, 
With  all- the  divine  Glory  crown'd, 

O  2  .1.2 


n 


. 


%96     GOSPEL   SONNETS. 

12. 

<c  We  fee  him  at  his  Table- Head, 
"  With  living  Water,  living  Bread, 
"  His    chearful   Guefts   inceffant  load 
«  With  all  the  Plenitude  of  God. 

<c  We  fee  the  holy  flaming  Fires, 
"  Cherubic  and  Seraphic  Quires  ; 
■*  And   gladly  join  with  thefe  on  high, 
"  To  warble  Praife  eternally, 

14. 
ec  Glory  to  God  that  here  we  came, 
c<  And   Glory   to  the  glorious  Lamb  : 
4C  Our  Light,  our  Life,  our  Joy,  our  All 
"  Is  in  our  Arms  and  ever  {hall. 

"  Our  Lord  is  ours,  and  we  are  his, 

Yea  now  we  fee  him  as   he  is : 
<c  And   hence  we  like  unto  him  are, 
"  And  full  his  glorious  Image  (hare. 

16. 
"  No  Darknefs   now,    no  difmal  Night, 
"  No  Vapour  intercepts  the  Light : 
<c  We  fee  for  ever    b  ace  to  Face 
<c  The  higheft  Prince  in  higheft  Place. 

l7- 
*c  This,  this  does  Heaven  enough  afford, 
«c  We  arc  for  ever  with  the  Lord  : 
«c  We  want  no  more,  for  all  is  given  ; 
*'  His  Prefence  is  the  Heart  of  Heaven." 

18. 
While  thus   I   laid  my  lift'ning  Ear, 
Ciofe  to  the  Door  of  Heaven  to  hear  ; 
And  then  the  facred  Page  did  view, 
Which  told  me  aU  I  heard  was  true  -, 


'art  V.      $he  Believer's  Soliloquy:  197 

19. 
fet  fhew'd  me   that  the  heavenly  Song 
jurpafles  every  mortal  Tongue, 
Vith  fuch  unutt'rable  Strains, 
Is  none  in  fett'ring  Flefh  attains. 

20. 

fhen  faid  I,    "  O  to  mount  away, 
6  And  leave  this  Clog  of  heavy  Clay  ! 
I  Let  Wings  of  Time   more   bafty  fly, 
That  I  may  join  the  Songs  on  high/' 


# 


i 

O3  GOS 


GOSPEL  SONNETS, 

O  R, 
SPIRITUAL    SONGS. 

•  in  ^  ii  .1  ■  ,  ii        u 

PART    VI. 

k.     The  Believer's    Principles, 


CONCERNING, 

1.  Creation  and   Redemption. 

2.  Law  and  Go/pel, 

3.  JpJJification  and   Sanflijication, 

4.  Faith  and    Senfe, 

5.  Heaven  and  Earth. 


CHAP.     I. 

The  Believe  r's  Principle  s,  concerning 
Creation  and  Redemption^  Or,  Some  of  the  firfl 
Principles  of  the  Oracles  of  GOD. 


SECT.     I. 
Of    CREATION* 

The  nrft  Chapter  of  Genefis  compendifed,  or   th< 
Rr£  il.en  Days  Work,   from  the  following  Lath 
rtes  EnglijiJtd. 

J^'RLllA  Dies  Coo  turn  Cif  Terr  am  Lucemque  creavit. 
■*-     Altera  diftenciit  Spu:iu??i^  di '/crimen  aquarum. 
Tertiafaerticnsundai,  dat  gramina  lerris. 

£)uart 


! 


art  VI.      The  Believer's  Principles.       199. 

hiarta  treat  Sclem  &  Lumm,  caslejiiaque  Ajira, 
^uinta  dedit  Pi/ces,  eadem  genus  omne  volantum. 
exta  tulit  Pecudes,  Hominem  quoque  quern  Deus  ipfe 
"ondidit  j  inde  Operis  requies  lux  Jeptimafuljit. 

In  EngliJJi  thus. 

.  ThefirftDay,  Heav'n,  Earth,  Light,  Jehovah  fent. 

.  The  next,  a  Water-fund'ring  Firmament. 

{.  TheThird  madedryLandfpringwithflow'ryPride. 

The  Fourth  fet  up  bright  Lamps,  Times  to  divide. 

;.  The  Fifth  brought  fwimmingFilnand  flying  Fowl. 

5.  The  Sixth,Earth's  Herds,  and  Man  to  bear  theRule. 

The  Seventh  brought  forth  no  more,  yet  brought 

the  beft, 
The  lab'rins;  Creature's  and  Creator's  Reft. 


Or  thus, 


:c  The  firft  Day  at  feh^aPs'Word, 
Did  Heav'n  and  Earth  and  Light  afford. 

:*  The  next,  a  Firmamet*ji^b  wide 
As  might  the  Water's  Courfe  divide. 

3- 
"  The  Third  fevering  Land  from  Seas, 
Made  Earth  produce  Herbs,  Grafs  and  Trees. 

4- 
k  The  Fourth,  Sun,  Moon  and  Stars  of  Light 

|  Set  up,  to  rule  the  Day  and  Night. 


c< 


S-. 
The  Fifth  made  Fifh  in  Depths  to  move, 
And  Fowls  to  flee  in  Air  above.     '' 

O  4  c 


2oo        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

6. 
"  The  Sixth  all  earthly  Beafts  did  bring, 
And  Man  to  be  the  Creatures  King. 

7- 
"  The  Seventh  of  all  thefe  Days  the  beft, 
Was  made  for  God  and  Man  to  Reft, 

8. 
Redemption  Work  doth  bring  again 
The  firft  of   thefe  to  be  the  Main, 

9- 

Fetching  new  Heavens  and  Earth  in  fight, 
And  Immortality  to  Light  : 

IO. 

Since   then  the  firft  is  now  the  Be  ft, 
Keep  well  this  Pledge   of  endlefs  Reft. 

The  Sum    of  CREA  T 1 0  N. 

i. 

All  Things  from  Nothing,  to  their  Sovereign  J^or< 
Obedient  rofe^   at  his  commanding  Word. 
Fair  in  his  Eye  the  whole  Creation  flood, 
He  faw  the  Building,  and  pronounc'd   it  good. 

2. 

And  now  each  Work  (while  Nature's  Fabrick  ftands 
Loud  for  its  wife  and  mighty  Lord  demands 
A  Rent  of  Praife,  a  loud  and  lofty  Song, 
From  every  rational  Beholder's  Tongue. 


SECT 


art  VI.     Fbe  Believer's  Principles.         261 


SECT.    II. 

Of    REDEMPTION. 

'he  Myftery  of  the    Redeemer^  Incarnation^  or  God 
man'fejied in  the  Flejh.   iTim.  iii.  16.  Joh.i.  14. 

fUH'HAT  tho'  the  Waters  ftruck  with  Dread, 
Rife  up  and  form  a  Pyramid  ? 
ho'  Floods  mould  gum  from  Rocks  and  Stones, 
)r  living  Souls  from  wither'd  Bones  ? 

2. 

To  hear  of  an  incarnate  God, 
s  yet  more  wonderful  and  odd. 
>  to  behold  how  God  molt  high, 
^ould  in  our  Nature  breathe  and  die. 

3- 

Vhat  tho'  the  bright  angelick  Forms, 
Degraded  were  to  crawling  Worms  ? 
Thefe  Creatures  were  but  Creatures  ftill, 
Transform^  at  their  Creator's  Will. 
1; 

4- 
Tho'  Creatures  change  a  Thoufand  Ways, 
t  cannot   fuch  Amazement  raife  5 
tfor  fuch  a  Scene  as  this  djfplay, 
"h5 * -eternal  Word,   a  Piece  of  Clay,. 

jod-Man  a  ftrange  Contexture  fixt, 
fet  not  confufed  nor  commixt  -, 
fet  ftill  a  Myft'ry  great  and  frelh3 
^  Spirit  infinite  made  Flejh. 

6. 

<Vhat  tho',   when  Nothing  heard  his  Call, 
Nothing  obey'd  and  brought  forth  AM 
Miat  tho'  he  Nothing's  Brood  maintain  I 
)r  all  anjiihilate  again  ? 


202       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

7- 
Let  Nothing  into  Being  pafs, 

Or  back  again  to  what  it  was, 

Jjut  lo  !  the  God  of  Beings  here,  ■ 

As  turn'd  to  nothing  doth  appear. 

8. 
All  Heaven's  aftonim'd  at  his  Form, 
The  mighty  God  became  a  Worm  : 
Down  Arian  Pride  to  him  (hall  bow, 
He's  fcfus  and  Jehovah  too. 

Toe  SUM  of  REDEMPTION. 

With  haughty  Mind  to  Godhead  Man  afpir'd, 
With  loving  Mind  our  Manhood  God  defir'd  : 
Man  was  by  Pride  from  Place  of  Pleafure  chas'd, 
God-man  by  Love  in  greater  Pleafure  plac'd. 

2. 

Man  feeking  to  afcend  procur'd  our  Fall, 
God  yielding  to  defend  remov'd  our  Thrall : 
The  Judge  was  caft  the  Guilty  to  acquit, 
The  Sun  defae'd  to  lend  the  Shades  the  Light. 


SECT.     III. 

Ihe  REDEEMER'S  WORK-, 

Or,  Ch  r  1st  all  in  all,  and  our  compleat  Redemptio 
'    A  Goipel  Catechifm  for  young  Qhrijlians* 

Quejlion. 
I.  J^  IND  Teacher,  may  I  come  to  lean. 

-^-^    In  this  abrupt  Addrefs, 
By  framing  Queitions  that  concern 

My  endlefs  Happinci:>  r 


iJ\Vi 


.rt  VI.     The  Believer's  Principles.         203 

Anfwer. 
Yea  Child,  but  if  you'd  learn  to  run 

The  great  Salvation  Race, 
iow  that  the  Name  of  Chrift  alone 

Can  anfwer  every  Cafe.  , 

3- 
By  Sin  my  God  and  all  is  loft, 

O  where  may  God  be  found  ? 
In  Chrift  5  for  fo  the  Holy  Gbofi 

Shews  by  the  joyful  Sound. 

4: 

But  how  will  God  with  finful  me, 

Again  be  reconcil'd  ? 
in  Chrift,  in  whom  his  Grace  to  thee 
•   And  Favour  is  reveaPd. 

5- 
O  how  (hall  I  a  marer  prove, 

And  fee  his  glorious  Grace  ? 
In  Chrift,  the  Image  of  his  Love, 

And  Brightnefs  of  his  Face. 

6. 
Where  mail  I  feek  all  divine-Store, 

And  without  fail  obtain  ? 
In  Chrift,  in  whom  for  evermore 

His  Fulnefs  does  remain. 

7- 
But  how  (hall  I  efcape  and  flee 

Th'  avenging  Wrath  of  God  ? 
In  Chrift,  who  bore  upon  the  Tree 

Thai  whole  amazing  Load. 

8. 
•n  daily  apt  to  ft  ray, 
Kov  mall  I  heav'nward  make  ? 
Hire  ..gh  Gl>rlft  the  confeZmied  Way^ 
j>4ign'd  for  thee  to  take. 


504      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

9- 
J§.  Ah  where's  my  Title,  Right  or  Claim 

To  that  eternal  Blifs  ? 
A,  In  Chriji  alone,  that  glorious  Name, 

7 he  Lord  our  Right  eoufnefs, 

10. 

j£L  But  who  unfit  can  enter  there, 

Or  with  fuch  nafty  Feet  ? 
A.  Chriji  by  his  Blood  prefents  thee  fair9 

His  Spirit   makes  thee  meet, 

Q  But  mayn't  my  Spirit  weak  as  Grafs, 
Fail  e'er  it  reach  the  Length  ? 

A.  J  ejus  the  Lord   thy  Righteoufnefs 
-Will  be  the  Lord  thy  Strength, 

12. 

jg.  But  what  if  Friends  and  wicked  Foes 

Shall  by  the  Way   moleft  ? 
A.  Chriji  is  a  Friend  to  bridle  thofe, 

And  give  the  Weary  Reji. 

$K  Mayn't  guilty  Confcience  loudly  brand, 
And  all  my  Comfort  chafe  ? 

A.  Chriji  with  a  Pardon  in  his  Hand 
Can  fhew  his   fmiling  Face. 

14. 

Q  But  how  can  divine  Mercy  vent, 
Where  Sins  are  great  and  throng  ? 

A.  Chriji  is  the  Channel  with   defcent 
That  Mercy  runs  along. 

iy 

jg.  But  may  not  Jujiice  interpofe 
And    ftand    in  Mercy's  Way  ? 

4.  Jefus  did  all  the  Debt  thou  owes 
To  divine  Juflice  pay. 


lRT  VI.      The  Believer's  Principles.       log 

16. 
Where  fhall  mine  Eyes  the  Pardon  fpy, 

Unto  my  faving  Good  ? 
In  ChrijVs  free  Promife   fee  it  lie, 

In  his  atoning  Blood. 

l7- 
What   ground  have  I  to  truft  and  fay, 

The  Promife    is  not  vain  ? 
In  Chriji  the  Promifes  are  Tea^ 

In  him  they   are  Amen. 

18. 
But  where  is  Chriji  himfelf,   O  where 

With  Promifes  fo  fweet  ? 
Chriji's  in  the  Promifes,  and  there 

Thy  Faith   and  he  may  meet. 

Is  Chriji  in  them,   and  they  in  Chriji  f 

How  fhall  I  this  defcry  ? 
His  Blood  and  Spirit  therein   lift 

To  feal   and   to  apply. 

20. 
'Gainft  legal  fiery  Threats  .of  Wrath, 

Pray,  what  Defence  is  beft  ? 
Chriji's   full  Obedience   ey'd  by  Faith, 

There  fhould    the  Guilty  reft. 

21. 

But  how  fLaii  Faith    be  had  ?  Alas  !    m 
I  find    I  can't  believe.  . 

Chriji  is  the  Author  of  that  Grace, 
And  Faith  is  his  to  give. 

22. 

Ah !  when  may  faithlefs  I  expe& 

He'll  fuch  a  Blifs  bequeath  ? 
He  will  of  Unbelief  conviit, 

And  paye  the  way  for  Faith. 


io6      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

23. 

j|>.  Repentance  muft  attend,  but  whence 

Shall  I  this  Grace  receive? 
A.  Chriji  is  exalted  as  a  Prince, 

All  needful  Grace  to  give. 

24. 
$).  How  can  fo  vib  a  Lump  of  Duft 

Heart-Holinefs  expect  ? 
A.  Chriji  by  his  holy  Spirit  muft 
This  gradual  Change  effect. 

25. 
$>.  How  mall  I  do  the  Works  aright 

I'm  daily  bound  unto  ? 
A.  Chrijt  in  thee  by  his  Spirit's  Might, 

Works  both  to  will  and  do. 

26. 
j£.  How  (hall  my  Maladies  be  heal'd, 

So  fore  molefting  me  ? 
A.  Chriji  is  the  great  Phyfician  feal'd, 

The  Lord  that  healeth  thee. 

27. 
^.  By  Pray'r  I  ought  to  feek  his  Face, 

This  Courfehow  fhall  I  drive  ? 
A.  'Tis  Chriji  alone  that  has  the  Grace, 

And  Spirit  of  Prayer  to  give. 

28. 
£K  Salvation-Work  is  great  and  high, 

Alas!  what  (hall  I  do? 
A.  Chriji  as  the  Alpha  thereof  eye, 

And  the  Omega  too. 

j9.  What  Pillar  then  is  moft  fecure, 

To  build  my  Hope  upon  ? 
A%  Ghrjft  only  the  Foundation  fure^ 

Trx  living  Conier-Stone, 


RT  VI.     The  Believer's  Principles.         2of 

30. 
When  I'm  with  black  Pollution  ftain'da 

How  fhall  I  cleanfed  be  ? 
Chrift  is  a  Fountain  for  that  end, 

Set  open  wide  for  thee. 

What  fhall  I  do,  when  Plagues  abound 

With  Sorrows^  Griefs  and  Fears  I 
Chrift  has  a  Balfam  for  thy  Wound, 

A  Bottle  for  thy  Tears. 

32. 
But  is  there  any  Help  for  one 

That  utterly  is  loft  ? 
Chrift  faves  from  Sin,  and  he  alone 

E'en  to  the  uttermoft. 

33- 
But  where  mall  I  be  fafe  at  laft 
From  Hell  and  endlefs  Death  ? 
Chrift  is  a  Refuge  from  the  Blafl 
Of  everlafting  "Wrath. 

34- 
;But  mayn't  ev'n  nat'ral  Death  to  me 

Become  a  dreadful  Thing  ? 
^Chrift  by  his  Death  in  love  to  thee 

Did  ev'ry  Death  unfting. 

35- 
Why,  Sir,  is  Chrift  the  whole  you  fay  ? 

No  Anfwer  elfe  I  find. 
Becaufe  were  Chrift  our  All  away. 

There's  nothing  left  behind. 

36. 

How  can  he  anfwer  every  Cafe, 
J  And  help  in  every  Thrall  ? 
Becaufe  he  is  the  Lord  of  Grace, 
all. 


to8        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

37- 
Jg.   How  is  he  prefent  to  fupply, 

And  to  relieve  us  thus? 
A>  Bzc\  fe  his  glorious  Name   is  nigh, 

IMMAKUEL,    God  with  us. 

38. 
$K  Has  he  alone  all  Power  to  fave, 

Is  nothing  left   to  Man  ? 
A.  Yea,  without  Chriji  we  nothing  have, 

Without  him  nothing  can. 

®ht eft Hon. 

39.  Mayn't  fome  from  hence  take  Latitude, 

And  Room  their  Lufts  to  pleafe  ? 
If  Chriji  do  all,  then  very  good. 
Let  us  take  carnal  Eafe. 

Anfwer. 

40.  Chriji  will  in  flaming  Vengeance  come 
With  Fury  in  his  Face, 

To  damn  his  Foes  that  dare  prefume, 
And  thus  abufe  his  Grace. 


SECT.     IV. 

Faith  and  Works,  both  excluded  from  the  Mah 
of  J  ujlif cation  befire  God^  that  Redemption  n. 
appear  to  be  only  in  Christ. 

1. 

\\ 7"HO  dare   an  holy  God  addrefs 

*  *      With  an    unholy  Righteoufnefs  ? 
Who   can  endure  his   awful  Probe, 
Without  Perfection  for  their  Robe  I 

2. 
None  could   his  great  Tribunal   face, 
W'ere  Faith  itfelf  their  faireft  Drefs. 
Faith    takes  the  Robe,  but  never  brags 5 
ItiUf  has  nought  but  filthy  Rags. 


art  VI.      The  Believer's  Principles.       209 

3- 

raith  claims  no  Share,  and  Works   far  lefs, 
n  Juftice-pleafing  Righteoufhefs  : 
"he    Servants  were  to  be  abhorr'd, 
Vould  claim  the  Glory  of  their  Lord, 

♦lafphemous   Unbelief  may  claim 
"he  Praifes  of  the  worthy  Lamb  5 
felt  Faith  difclaiming  all  its  beft, 
Tot  on  itfeif,  but   Chrift  will  reft. 

5- 

m  fav'd  and  juftify'd   by  Faith, 

Vhich   yet  no  faving  Value  hath  : 

Tor  e'er  pretends  to  fave  from  Thrall, 

jut  in  its  Object   has  its  All, 

6. 
Tis  Chrift  alone  faves  guilty  me, 
jid  makes   my  Right  to  Life  fo  free, 
"hat  in  himfelf  it  ftands  alone  : 
aith  takes  the  Right,  but  gives  me  none. 

7- 

dare  not  acl:  with  this   Intent, 
ithr  Ads  of  mine  to  draw  the  Rent : 
ff|or   do    good  Works   with   this  Defign, 

o  win   the  Crown    by  Works  of  mine. 

8, 
d  thus  the  promis'd  Grace  forfake, 
ror  Jefus  for  my  Saviour  take ; 
'ea,  thus  would   dreadfully  prefume, 
.nd  work  mine   own  eternal  Doom. 

9' 
reiumption  cannot  rife  more  high, 

d  make  the  Truth  of  God  a  Lye, 

he  God  of  Truth  a  Lyar  too  ; 

1/ hat  more  Mifchief  could  Satan  do  ? 

L 


sio     GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

10. 

Why  ?d  difcredit  God's  Record, 
Concerning  Jesus  Christ  the  Lord, 
His  glorious  and  eternal  Son, 
Whofe  Blood  has  Life  eternal  won. 

ii. 

In  him  (fays  God)  this  Life  I  give, 
In  him  (hall  therefore  Men  believe, 
My  Gift  embracing  in  their  Arms  : 
None  mall  be'fav'd  on  other  Terms. 

12. 

Vain  Man  mufl  ftoop  and  freely  take, 
Or  elfe  embrace  a  burning  Lake  : 
Proud  Nature  rauft  fubmit  to  Grace, 
And  to  the  divine  Righteoufnefs. 

13. 
In  vain  on  Works  our  Hope  is  built, 
Our  Actions  nothing  are  but  Guilt : 
The  heft  Obedience  of  our  own 
La  re  not  appear  before  his  Throne. 

14. 
What  finite  Worm  can  bear  the  Load, 
The  Fury  of  an  angry  God  ? 
What  mortal  Vigour  can  withftand 
The  Vengeance  of  his  lifted  Hand  ? 

The  Law  can  never  fave  us  now, 
"1  o  d^niii  is  all  that  it  can  do. 
Heav'n  cafts  all  Righteoufnefs  of  ours, 
The  Law  of  Works  is  out  of  Doors. 

16. 
No  Merit,  Money  more  or  lefs, 
Can  buy  the  Gift  of  Righteoufnefs. 
O  may  I  take  what  Heav'n  does  give  ; 
JEHOVAH,  help  me  to  believe  ; 


Ube  Believer  s  rrincivies.         211 

Vnd  in  that  Righteoufnefs  to  truft, 
/Vhich  only  makes  a  Sinner  juft. 
\nd  then  the  Truth  of  Faith  to  prove, 
^ord,  make  my  Faith  to  work  by  Love. 

CHAP.    II. 

The    Believer's     Principles., 

f  Concerning 

The  LAW  and  the  GOSPEL; 

Particularly 
.  The  Myfery  ) 

.  The  Difference  C/Law^. Gospe L. 

.  The  Harmony  v 

.  7 be  Place  and  Station' 


SECT.    I. 

The  Myjiery  of  Law  and  GofpeL 
1. 

l^FCy  Law-Commands  and  Gofpel- Grace, 
*•     Agree  in  mutual  joint  Embrace ; 
ret  Law  and  Gofpel  in  a  Shock, 
Jan  never  draw  an  equal  Yoke. 

2. 
^he  Law  of  Works,  the  Law  of  Grace, 
kn't  ftand  together  in  one  Place  ; 
"he  brighter  Scene  deftroys  the  dark, 
s  Dagon  fell  before  the  Ark, 


212      GOSPEL   SONNETS. 

They  harmonize  like  marry'd  Pairs, 
Yet  are  at  Odds,  and  keep  not  Squares : 
.As  Mercy  f  rands    from  Merit  far, 
The  Letter  and  the  Spirit  jar. 

4- 
The  Law  does  Gofpel- Comforts  harm, 

The  Gofpel  breaks- the    legal  Arm  ; 

Yet  both  exalt   each  other's  Horn, 

And  Garlands  bring  their  Heads  t'adorn. 

I  thro'    the  Law   am  dead  to  it, 
To  legal  Works    and   Self-Conceit. 
Yet   lo  !  thro'  Gofpel- Grace  I  live, 
And  to  the  Law  due  Honour  give. 

6. 

The  Law  great  Room  for  Boafting  makes, 
But   Grace  my  Pride  and  Boafting  breaks  ; 
Yet  all  my  Boafts  the  Law  does  kill, 
And  Grace   makes  room  to  boaft.  my  Fill. 

7- 
The  Gofpel  makes  me  keep  the   Law, 
Yet    from  its  painful  Service  draw  : 
It  does  all   Law- Demands   fulfil, 
Yet   make  them  wholly  void  and  null. 

8. 
The  Gofpel  gives  me  no  Command, 
Yet  by   obeying    it  I  ftand. 
Tofnxt  Obedience,   tho'   it  call, 
Docs  bind  to  none,  but  promife  all. 

9- 
>es  frric*  Commanijbnent  giye,    • 

[-News  believe  ; 
>     b  ,    no  fuch  Thing, 
.:•  ~.   ...    i  *ld  Gofpel  Tilings  b;ing. 


art  VI.      The  Believer's  Principles*       213 

10. 
Vhen  I  the  Gofpel-Truth   believe, 
)bedience    to  the  Law  I  give  ; 
Lnd  when   I  don't    the  Law  obferve, 

from  the  Gofpel-Method   fwerve. 
1 1. 
fet    if  I  do  the  Law  obey, 

am  not  in  the  Gofpel- Way  ; 
Vhich  does   to  new  Obedience  draw* 
ret  is  the  Gofpel  no  new  Law, 

12. 

ill    Precepts  to  the  Law  belong, 
zet  in  the  Gofpel-Field    are  throng. 
lurs'd  every  Gofpel-Slighter  is  ; 
fet  all  its  Office   is  to  blefs> 

13- 

t   from  the  Law  has  Power  to  kill, 
fet  faving  does  its  Power  fulfil  : 
«Jo  Savour  but  of  Life  it  hath, 
fet  moft  the  Savour  is  of  Death, 

14. 

Veaknefs  Perfection  doth  exclude, 
he   Law  is  perfect,  juft  and  good  % 
fet  can  it  nothing  perfeSf   make,* 
Jut  all  the  Comers  to  it    break. 

'5- 

trength,  to  the  Gofpel  does  belong, 

Eighty  thro*   God    it  is,    and  itrong  ; 
t  to  the  Law  does  Strength  emit, 
fet  'tis  the  Law  gives   Strength    to  it, 

16. 
"he   Gofpel  gives  the  Law   I  fee, 
gfffieient  Strength  to  juftify  ; 
fet    may  I  fay,   in    Truth  it  is 
?he  Lav/  that  gives  the  Gofpel  this. 

P  3  & 

*  Htk,  x.  1. 


.*» 


2i4       GOSPEL  SONNETS. 

For  as  the  Law  no  Sinner  clears, 
But  who  the  Gofpel-Garment  wears  ; 
So  none  are  juftify'd  by  Grace, 
Uniefs  the  Law-Demand  have  place. 

18. 
Again  the  Law,  which  yet  feems  worfe, 
Gives  Gofpel-News  condemning  Force  ; 
Yet  they  are  News  that  never  can, 
Nor  ever  will  condemn  a  Man. 

Dread  Threat'nings  to  the  Law  pertain, 
Not  to  the  Gofpel's  golden  Qhain  : 
Yet  all  Law-Threats  and  Sinai's  Ire, 
To  Gofpel- Grace  are  Walls  of  Fire. 

20. 
The  righteous  Law  aflbileth  none, 
Of  Adarris  guilty  Race,  fave  one, 
"Who  being  guilty  for  this  Caufe, 
By  God's  juft  Law  condemned  was. 

21. 

Yet  free  of  Guilt  it  did  him  fee, 
Kence  fully  clear'd,  and  fet  him  free  : 
Yet  had  not  Guilt  his  Soul  involv'd, 
By  Law  he  could  not  been  abfoiv'd. 

22. 
But  he  withal  condemned  and  fpoil'd 
The  Law  of  Works,  which  him  aflbil'dj 
And  now  the  Law  is  (in  thefe  Views) 
The  Marrow  of  the  Gofpel-News. 

23. 
The  Law  can  juflify  no  Man 
Tliat  is  a  Sinner  ;   yet  it  can 
Thus  favour  ftnful  Men,  and  free 
>l>e  chief  of  Sinners,  guilty  me. 


The  Be  never *'j  Principles.        215 

24. 

The  Gofpel  too  acquitteth  none, 
That  have  not  put  Perfection  on  ; 
And  yet  it  cleareth  none  (I  grant) 
But  thofe  who  all  Perfection  want. 

Thofe  that  with  Gofpel  Clearance  meet, 
Muft  by  the  Law  be  found  complete  ; 
Yet  never  could  (again  I  grant) 
The  Gofpel  juftify  a  Saint. 
26. 
All  perfect  Perfons  it  controls, 
And  juftifies  ungodly  Souls  ; 
Yet  ftill  no  Man  its  Grace  partakes, 
But  whom  it  truly  godly  makes. 

■     27. 
The  Law  withftands  the  Gofpel-Pathi 
Which  yet  its  Approbation  hath  : 
The  Gofpel  thwarts  the  legal  Way, 
Yet  will  approve  the  Law  for  ay. 

28. 
Hence  tho*  the  Gofpel's  comely  Frame 
Doth  openly  the  Law  condemn  ; 
Yet  they  are  blind,  who  never  faw, 
The  Gofpel  juftify  the  Law. 

29. 
Thus  Gofpel-Grace,  and  Law-Commands, 
Both  bind  and  loofe  each  other's  Hands  y 
They  can't  agree  on  any  Terms., 
Yet  hug  each  other  in  their  Arms. 

30. 
Thofe  that  divide  them  cannot  be 
The  Friends  of  Truth  and  Verity  ; 
Yet  thofe  that  dare  confound  the  two, 
Deftroy  them  both,  and  gender  W©, 


1  1 


?  4  Th^ 


21b       CjU^EL     SONJNliTS. 

This  Paradox  none  can  decipher. 
That  plow  not  with  the  Gofpel-Heifer. 

SECT.     II. 

The  Difference  betwixt  the  Law  and  the  Gofpel. 
t. 
*TpHE  Law  fuppofmg  I  have  all, 
-V    Does)  ever  for  Perfeclion  cail : 
The  Gofpel   futes   my  total  Want, 
And   all  the  Law  can  feek  does  grant. 

2. 
The  Law  could  promife  Life  to  me, 
If  my  Obedience  perfect  be : 
But  Grace  does  promife    Life  upon 
My  Lord's  Obedience  alone. 

3\ 
The  Law  favs  do,  and  Life  you'll  win  ; 

But  Grace   fays  live,  for  all  is  done  : 

The  formic:  cannot  eafe   my  Grief ; 

The   latter  yields  me  full  Relief. 

4- 
By  Law  convinced  of  fmfulJBreacb, 
By    Gofpel- Grace   I   Comfort  reach  : 
The  one  my  Condemnation  bears, 
1  he   other  jii/Hfcs   and  clears. 

;-  5. 

The  Law  fhews  my  Arrears   are  great, 

The  Co 'pel  freely  pays  my  Debt : 

The  firft  does  me  the  Bankrupt  curfe, 

The  iaft   does  blefs   and  fill  my  Purfe. 

6. 
The  Law   will  not  abate  a  Mite, 
liic   G<  'pel  all  the  Sum    will  quite : 
There  God   in  Ihr earnings   is  array ,d> 
Jjut   hire  in  Promifes  di(pla\'d. 


Fbe  Believer's  Principles,       21$ 


7- 
he  Law  and  Gofpel  difagree,    . 
ike  Hagar,  Sarah,  bond    and  free  ; 
he   former's  Hagar's  Servitude, 
h^  latter  Sarah's  happy  Brood. 

8. 
\>  S/W  black,  and  Zion  fair, 

he  Word  does  Law  and  Grace  compare. 

heir  Curfirig  and  their  Bleffing  vie, 
Vith  Ebal  and  Ger  izzim  high. 

he  Law  excludes  not  Boaftlng  vain, 
Jut  rather  feeds  it  to  my  Bane : 
>ut  Gofpel- Grace  allows  no  Bo'ajls, 
ave  in  the  King,  the  Lord  of  Hofts. 

io. 

"he  Law  ftill   irritates  my  Sin, 
Ind  hardens  my  proud  Heart  therein  ; 
Jut  Grace's    melting  Power  renews, 
^nd.-my  Corruption  tiutcitig /ufadues. 

1 1. 
The  Law  with  Thunder,  Sinai-like* 
)oes  always  Dread  and  Terror  fpeak  ; 
"he  Gofpel   makes  a  joyful  Noife, 
\nd  charms  me  with  ay?///,    calm  Voice, 

12. 

The  legal  Trumpet  War  proclaims,     - 
n  wrathful  Threats,  and  Fire,  and  Flames; 
nhe  £jofye\-Pipe,  a  peaceful  Sound, 
VhUQt  fpreads  a  kindly  Breath   around. 

'he  Law  is   weak  through  finful   Flefh, 
"he  Gofpel  brings.  Recruits  afrefh  : 
'he  firft   a  killing  Letter  wears, 
'he  lajft  a  quick' ning  Spirit  bears. 


XA 


2i8       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

i4. 
The  Law  that  feeks  Perfection's  Height, 
Yet  gives  no  Strength  nor  offers  Might  ; 
But  precious  Gofpel-Ti  dings  glad, 
Declare  where  all  is  to  be  had. 

x5- 

From  me  alone  the  Law  does  crave, 

What  Grace  affirms  in  Chrijl  I  have  : 
When  therefore  Law-Purfuits  inthral, 
I  fend  the  Law  to  Grace  for  all. 

16. 

The  Law  brings  Terror  to  moleft, 
The  Gofpel  gives  the  Weary  rejl  : 
The  one  does  Flags  of  Death  difplay, 
The  other  fhews  the  living  Way. 

The  Law  by  Mofes  was  expreft, 
The  glorious  Gofpel  came  by  Chrijl : 
The  firft  dim  Nature's  Light  may  trace, 
The  laft  is  only  known  by  Grace, 

18. 
The  Law  may  roufe  me  from  my  Sloth, 
To  Faith  and  to  Repentance  both  ; 
And  tho'  the  Law  commandeth  each, 
Yet  neither  of  them  can  it  teach  j 

Nor  will  accept  for  current  Coin 
The  Duties  which  it  does  injoin  , 
It  feeks  all,   but  accepts  no  lefs 
Than  comtant,  perfect  Righteoufnefs. 

20. 
The  Gofpel,  on  the  other  hand, 
Akho'  it  [flue  no  Command  ; 
But  .flrictl  v  view'd  does  whole  confift, 
In  Promifes  and  Offers  bleft. 


art  VI.    The  Believer's  Principles.        2 1§ 


2 


et  does  it  many  Duties  teach, 
f  hich  legal  Light  could  never  reach  : 
bus  Faith,  Repentance,  and  the  like, 
re  Fire  that  Gofpel-Engmes  ftrike. 

22. 
>hey  have  Acceptance  here,  through  Grace, 
he  Law  affords  them  no  fuch  Place  : 
et  ftill  they  come  through  both  their  Hands, 
h  rough  GofipQl-Teachings,  Law- Commands. 

23. 
'he  Law's  a  Houfe  of  Bondage  fore*" 
'he  Gofpel  opes  the  Prifon-Door : 
'he  firft  me  hamper' 'd  in  its  Net, 
"he  laft  at  Freedom  kindly  fet. 

24. 

"he  Precept  craves,  the  Gofpel  gives. 
Vhile  that  me  prejfes,  this  relieves  s 
nd  or  affords  the  Strength  I  lack, 
)r  takes  the  Burden  off  my  Back. 

25. 

"he  Law  requires  on  Pain  of  Death, 
The  Gofpel  courts  with  loving  Breath : 
Vhile  that  conveys  a  deadly  Wound, 
%s  makes  me  perfect,   whole  and  found. 

26. 

"here  viewing  how  difeas"d  I  am, 
here  perceive  the  healing  Balm  : 
Lfflic"ted  there  with  Senfe  of  Need, 
ut  here  refrefh'd  with  meet  Remede. 

27- 
^he  Law's  a  Charge  for  what  I  owe, 

"he  Gofpel  my  DiJ charge  to  fhow  : 
"he  one  a  Scene  of  Fears  doth  ope, 
"he  other  is  the  Door  of  Hspt-. 


al 


6       OOSPEL    SONNETS. 

28. 

An  3ij]  K  e  Law  reveal'd, 

The   J-ojpe]    fcfcws    ftim    reconciled! 
By  ;:..1  I  ..now  he  was  dij^uasd  -s 
±  fee  Ins  Wrath  appeas'd* 

Law  thus  fhews  the  divine  Ire, 
And  nothing    but  confuming  Fire  : 
Tlie^Gofpel  brings  the  Olive-Branch, 
And  Elood  the  burning  Fire  to  quench. 

30. 
The  Law    ftill  fhews  a  fiery  Face; 
The  Gospel  fhews  a  Throne  of  Grace: 
There  Ju/tice  rides  alone  in  State  ; 
But  here  ihe  takes   the  Mercy  Seat, 

In  Sum, 

Lo,  in   the  Law  JEHOVAH  dwells, 

But  JESUS  is  conceal'd  ; 
Whereas  the  Gofpel's  nothing  elfe, 

But    JESUS  CHRIST   reveal'd. 


sect.   in. 

The  Harmony  betwixt  the  Law  and  the  Gofpel. 

1. 

*T^HE  Law's  a  Tutor  much  in  vogue, 
A     To  Gofpel- Grace  a  Pedagogue  > 
The  Gofpel   to  the  Law  no  lefs, 
Tiian  its  full  End  for  Righteoufnefs. 

2. 
When   once  the  fiery    Law  of  God 
Has  chas'd  me  to  the  Gofpel -Rgad  ; 
Then   buck  unto  the  holy  Law, 
Moit  kindly  Gvfpel-Grace  Will  draw. 


Part  VI.      The  Believer's  Prinrlple$..      22$ 

3- 
When   by  the  Law  to  Grace  I'm  fchooVa 
Grace  by  the  Law  will  have  me  ruTd  : 
Hence   if  I  don't  the  Law  obey, 
I  cannot  keep  the  Gofpel- Way. 

4- 

'When  I  the  Gofpel-News  believe, 

Obedience  to  the  Law  I  give  ; 
And  that  both  in  its/Wn?/-Drefs, 
And  as  a  Rule  of  Holinefs. 

Lo,  in  my  Head  I  render  all, 
For  which   the  fiery  Law  cart  call  : 
'  His  Blood  unto Jts  Fire  was  Fuel, 
His  Spirit  fhapes  me  to  its  Rule. 

6. 

When  Law  and  Gofpel  kindly  meet, 
To  ferve  each  other  both   unite  .* 
Sweet  Promifes,  and  ftern  Commands, 
Do  work  to  one  another's  Hands. 

7- 
The  divine  Law  demands  no  lefs, 
Than  human  perfect  Righteoufnefs : 
TheGofpd  gives  it  this   and  more, 
E'en  divine  Righteoufnefs  in  ftore. 

8. 

Whate'er  the  righteous  Law  require, 
The  Gofpel  grants  its  whole  Defire. 
Are  La v\ -Commands    exceeding  broad? 
4  So  is  the  Righteoufnefs  of  God. 

9. 

How  great!  foe'er  the  legal  Charge, 
^The    Gofpel  Payment's  equal    large  ; 
No  Lofs  b)i   Man  the  Law  can  bray, 
Vv  hm  Gnke  provides  a  God  to  pay. 


*, 


GOSPEL    SONNETS. 


fO. 


makes  Gofpel- Banquets  fweet, 
:>el  makes  the  Law  complete ; 
;  to  Grace's  Store-houfe  draw, 

ks  and  magnifies  the  Law. 

n. 

.w  and  Gofpel  clofe  combine, 
ike  each  other's  Luftre  mine  ; 
Gofpel  all  Law-Breakers  fhames, 
Law  all  Gofpel-Slighters  damns. 

12. 

The  Law  is  holy,  juft,  and  good, 
All  this  the  Gofpel  feals  with  Blood ;    . 
And  clears  the  Royal  Law's  juft  Dues 
With  dearly  purchas'd  Revenues. 

The  Law  commands  me  to  believe, 
The  Gofpel  faving  Faith  does  give  : 
The  Law  injoins  me  to  repent, 
The  Gofpel  gives  my  Tears  a  Vent. 

14. 
What  in  the  Gofpel-Mint  is  coin'd, 
The  fame  is  in  the  Law  injoin'd  : 
Whatever  Gofpel-Tidings  teach, 
The  Law's  Authority  doth  reach. 

15. 
Here  join  the  Law  and  Gofpel  Hands, 
What  this  me  teaches,  that  commands : 
What  virtuous  Forms  the  Gofpel  pleafe, 
The  fame  the  Law  does  authorize. 

16.      • 
And  thus  the  Law-Commandment  feals , 
Whatever  Gofpel-Grace  reveals : 
The  Gofpel  alfo  for  my  Good 
Seals  all  the  Law-Demands  with  Blood. 


*7' 


Part  VI.      The  Believer's  Principles.       22| 

'7- 
The  Law  mofl  perfect  ftill  remains, 
And  every  Duty  full  contains  : 
The  Gofpel  its  Perfection  fpeaks, 
And  therefore  gives  whate'er  it  feeks. 

18. 

Next,  what  by  Law  I'm  bound  unto. 
The  fanrethe  Gofpel  makes  me  do  : 
What  mfjkftivefy  thai  can  crave, 


'  This  effectively  can  engrave. 
19. 
All  that  by  Precepts  Heav'n  expects, 
Free  Grace  by  Promifes  effects  : 
To  what  the  Law  by  Fear  may  move, 
To  that  the  Gofpel  leads  by  Love, 

2®. 
To  run^  to  worky  the  Law  commands  ; 
The  Gofpel  gives  me  Feet  and  Hands  : 
The  one  requires  that  I  obey, 
The  other  does  the  Power  convey. 

21. 
What  in  the  Law  has  Duty's  Place, 
The  Gofpel  changes  to  a  Grace  •> 
Hence  legal  Duties  therein  nam'd, 
Are  herein  Gofpel-Graces  fam'd. 

22. 
The  Precept  checks  me  when  I  ftray, 
The  Promife  holds  me  in  the  way  : 
That  mews  my  Folly  when  I  roam, 
And  this  moft  kindly  brings  me  home. 

Law-Threats  and  Precepts  both  I  fee, 
With  Gofpel-Promifes  agree  ; 
They  to  the  Gojpel  are  a  Fence , 
And  it  to  them  a  Maintenance, 


24- 


124       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

24. 

The  Law  will  juftify  all  thoie 
Who  with  the  Gofpel-Ranfom  clofe  ; 
The  Gofpel    too  approves  for  ay, 
All  thofc  that  do  the  Law  obey. 

The  righteous  Law   condemns   each  Ma 
That  dare    rejec~t  the  Gofpel  Plan. 
The  holy  Gofpel  none  will  fave, 
On  whom  it  won't  the  Law  engrave. 

26. 
When  Chriji   the  Tree  of  Life  I  climb, 
I  fee  both  Law   and  Grace    in   him  ; 
In  him    the  Law  its  End  does  gain, 
In  him  the  Promife  is  Amen, 

27- 
The  Law  makes  Grace's  Pafture  fweet, 
Grace   makes  the  Law  my  favoury  Meat ; 
Yea,  fweeter  than  the  Honey -Comb, 
"When  Grace  and  Mercy   brings  it  Home. 

28. 
The -Precepts  of  the  Law  mejbow, 
What  Fruits  of  Gratitude  I  owe  ; 
But  Gofpel-Graee   begets  the  Brood, 
And  moves  me  to  the  Gratitude. 

29. 
Law-Terrors  panfe  the  putrid  Sore, 
And  Gofpel -Grace  applies   the  Cure  : 
The  one  plows  up  the  Fallow-Ground, 
The  other  J 'ows    the  Seed  around. 

A  rigid  Matter   was  the  Law, 
Demanding  Brick,   denying  Straw; 
Bu*:  when  with   Gofpel -Tongue   it  fmp-% 
It  bids  me  fly,  and  gives  me  Wings. 


Part  VI.      The. Believer* s  Principles*       225 

In  S  u  M, 

Both   Law  and  Gofpel  clofe  unite. 

Are  feen  with  moft  Solace, 
Where  Truth  and  Mercy  kindly  meet, 

In  fair  IAdMANUEL's  Face. 


SECT.    IV. 

1 he  proper  Place  and  Station   of  the  LAW  and  the 
GOSPEL. 

Note^  That  in  the  four  following  Paragraphs,  as  well 
as  in  the  three  preceding  Sections,  by  Law  is 
moftiy  underftood  the  Doctrine  of  the  Covenant 
of  Works ;  and  by  Gofpel^  the  Doctrine  of  thg 
Covenant  of  Grace. 

P  A  R  A  G  RAPH    I. 

The  Place  and  Station  of  Law  and  Gofpel  in  gerieraL 


\1C7HEN"  we  the  facred  Record  viewj 

.  \      Or  divine  Teft'ments  Old  and  New  % 
The  Matter    in  moft  Pages  fixt, 
Is  Law  and  Gofpel   intermixt* 

2. 
Yet   few  e'en  in  a  learned  Age* 
Can  fo  revolve    the  facred  Page  ; 
As  to  difcern    with-  equal  Eye, 
Where  Lawj  where  Gofpel   fever'd  lie. 

f-  3- 

,  One  divine  Text  with  double  Claufe^ 

f  May  fpeak  the  Gofpel's  Voice  and  Law's  ; 

Hence  Men  to  blend  them  both  are  apts 
ji>houid  in  ©ae  Sentence  both  b*  vriapt. 


a 


226     GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

But  that  we  may  the  Truth  purfue, 
And  give  both  Law  and  Grace  their  Due, 
And  God  the  Glory  there  difplay'd  ; 
The  following  Rules  may  give  us  Aid. 

Where'er  in  facred  Writ  we  fee 
A  Word  of  Grace  or  Promife  free  : 
With  Bleflings  dropt  for  Jesus'  fake, 
We  thefe  for  Gofpel-News  may  take, 

6. 
But  where  a  Precept  Ariel:  we  find 
With  Promife  to  our  Doing  join'd  ; 
Or  Threatening  with  a  zvraihful  Frown, 
This  as  the  Law  we  juftly  own. 

Paragraph  II. 
The  Place  and  Station  of  Law  and  Gofpel  in  par- 
ticular, %vhere  the  Difference  is  noted  betwixt  the 
Gofpel  largely  viewed  in  its  Difpenfation,  and  Jlr idly 
in  itfelf:  And  betwixt  the  Gofpel,  and  Faith  re* 
ceiving  it. 

i. 
\7[7'Ouldft  thou  diftinclly  know  the  Sound 

*  *     Of  Law  and  Grace,  then  don't  confound 
The  Difpenfation  with  the  Grace  ', 
For  thefe  two  have  a  diftincl  Place.. 

2. 

The  Gofpel  thus  difpens'd  we  fee, 
Believe,  and  thou  /halt  faved  be  ; 
If  not,  thou  fjalt  be  damrfd  to  Hell9 
And  in  eternal  Torments  dwell. 

3- 
Here  Precepts  In  it'are  difpens'd  % 

With  Threat9  nings  of  Damnation  fene'd  > 
The  legal  Sanction  here  takes  place, 
Tbat  none  may  dare  abuje  free  Grace. 


Part  VI.      The  Believer's  Principles.      227 

Yet  nor  does  that  Command  of  Faith, 
Nor  this  tremendous  Threat  of  Wrath3 
Belong  to  Gofpel  ftri&Iy  fo  ; 
But  to  its  Difpenfation  do. 

5- 
The  Method  of  difpenfing  here, 
Does  Law  and  Gofpel  jointly  bear  % 
Becaufe  the  Law's  fubfervient 
Unto  the  Gofpel's  bleft  Intent. 

6. 

Precepts  and  Threat'nings  both  make  way 
The  Gofpel -Bleffing  to  convey  ; 
Which  differs  much  (tho'  thus  difpens'd) 
From  Laws  and  Threats  whereby  'tis  fenc'd* 

?•  I 

Believe^  and  thou  /halt  faved  bey 

Is  Gofpel,  but  improperly  \ 
Yet  fafely  Men  may  call  it  thus^ 
Becaufe  'tis  (o  difpens'd  to  us. 

8. 
But  fure,  the  Gofpel-News  we  fing, 
Muft  be  fome  other  glorious  Thing, 
Than  Precepts  to  believe  the  fame, 
Whatever  way  we  blend  their  Name. 

The  Gofpel-Treafure's  fomething  more, 
Than  Means  that  do  apply  the  Store  : 
Believing  is  the  Method  pav'd, 
The  Gofpel  is  the  Thing  believ'd. 

\    ■  .  lo' 

The  precious  Thing  is  Tidings  fweet 

Of  Christ  a  Saviour  moft  complete  ; 

To  fave  from  Sin,  and  Death,  and  Wrathj 

Which  Tidings  tend  to  gender  Faith, 


% 


2 


828      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

I  I. 

Faith   c ernes  by  hearing  God's  Record, 
Concerning   Jsfus  Chrift  the  Lord  ; 
And  is  the  Method   Heav'n  has  blefl 
For  bringing  to   the  Gofpel-Reft. 

12. 

The  joyful  Sound   is  News  of  Grace, 
And  Life   to  Adam's  guilty  Race  ; 
Thro*  Jesus'  Righteoufnefs  divine, 
Which  bright  from  Faith  to  Faith   does  fhine. 

The  Prornife  of  immortal  Blifs 
Is  made  to  this  full  Righteoufaefs  i 
By  this  our  Right  to  Life   is  bought, 
Faith  begs  the  Right,  but   buys  it  not* 

True  Faith  receives  the  offer'd  Good, 
And  Prornife  feal'd  with  precious  Blood  : 
It  gives  no  Title  to  the  Blifs, 
But  takes  th'  intitling  Righteoufnefs. 

!£' 

This  Objecl  great  of  faving  Faith, 

And  this  alone  the  Prornife  hath: 

For  'tis  not  made  to  Faith's   poor  Afts 

But  is  the  Prize  that  Faith  does  take  : 

1 6. 

And  only  as  it  takes  the  fame, 

It  bears  a  great  and  famous  Name  ; 

For  Self  and  all  its   Grandeur  down 


It  throws,  that  Christ   may  wear  the  CrowR.   : . 

,       .  -  !7' 

But  if  new  Laws  and  Threats  were  all 

That  Gofpel   properly  we  call, 

Then  were  the  Precept   to  believe 

No  better  News  $haji  do  md  Uv$%f 

it 


Part  VI.       The  Believer's  Principles:       229 

18. 
If  then  we  won't  diftinguim  here, 
We  cloud,    but  don't   the  Gofpel  clear  ; 
We   blend  it  with  the  fiery  Law, 
And  all  into  Confuiion  draw. 

19. 

The  Law  of  -Works  we  introduce, 
As  if  old  Merit  were  in  ufe ; 
When  Man  could  Life  by  doing  won9 
E'en  tho'  the  Work  by  Grace  were  done. 

20. 
Old  Adam:'m  bis  Innocence 
Deriv'd  his  Power  of  Doing  hence  : 
As  all  he  could  was  wholly  due  ; 
So  all  the   working  Strength  he  knew, 

21. 
Was  only    from  the  Grace  of  God, 
Who  with   fuch  Favour  did  him  load  : 
Yet  was  the  Promife  to  his  Afty 
TKat^he  might  merit  by  Compacl, 

22. 
No  Merit  but  of  Paclion    could 
Of  Men  or  Angeis   e'er  be  told  ; 
The  God- man  only  was  fo  high., 
To  merit    by  Condignity, 

Were  Life  now  promis'd  to  our  AcJ9 
Or  to  our  Works  by  Paftion  tack'd  ; 
Tho*  God   mould  his  Affiflance  grant, 
'Tis  Hill   a  Doing  Covenant, 

Tho'  Heav'n  its  helping  Grace  mould  yield, 
Yet  Merit's  Ml    upon   the  Field  ; 
We  caft  the    Name,  yet  ftill  'tis  found 
Difclaim'd   bijt  with  a  verbal  So mid. 

0,3  2^- 


£3o      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

25- 
If  one  fhculd  borrow  To<  Is  from  you, 
T  hat  he  fom?  famous  Work  might  do  j 
When  cnce  his  Work  is  weil-prepar'd, 
He  fure  deferves  his  due  Reward  j 

26. 
Yea,  jufrly  may  he  claim  his  Due, 
Altbo'  heborrow'd  Tools  from  you  : 
E'en  thus  tne  borrow'd  strength  of  Grace 
Can't  hinder  Merit  to  take  piace. 

27- 
From  whence  foe'er  we  borrow  Pow'rs* 
If  Life  depend  on  Works  of  ours; 
Or  if  we  make  the  Gofpel  thus 
In  any  fort  depend  on  us  ; 

28. 
We  give  the  Law  the  Gofpel- Place, 
Rewards  of  Debt  the  Room  of  Grace  ; 
We  mix  Heav'n's  Treafure  with  our  Trafh, 
And  magnify  corrupted  Flefh. 

t-  29- 

The  New  and  Gofpel-Covenant 

Ko  Promije  to  our  Works  will  grant  ; 

But  to  the  Doing  of  our  Head, 

And  in  him  to  each  Gofpei-Deed. 

30. 
To  Godlinefs  which  is  great  Gain, 
Prcmite  is  fail  to  appertain ; 
But  know,  left  you  the  Gofpel  mar, 
In  whom  it  is  we  godly  are : 

3i- 

To  him  and  to  his  Rfghteoufnefs 
Still  primar'ly  the  Promife  is, 
And  r»ot  e*en  to  the  gracious  Deed, 
Save  in  and  through  the  glorious  Head. 


Part  VI.     The  Believers  Principles.        231 

32. 

Pray  let  us  here  obferve  the  Odds, 
How  Law  and  Grace  take  counter  Roads. 
The  Lav/  of  Works  no  Promife  fpake 
Unto  the  Agent,  but  the  Aft. 

-.      33- 
It  primar'ly  no  Promife  made 

Unto  the  Perfon  but  the  Deed  i 

Whate'er  the  doing  Perfon  fhar'd, 

'Twas  for  his  Deed  he  had  Reward. 

34- 
The  Law  of  Grace  o'er  turns  the  Scale, 
And  makes  the  quite  Reverie  prevail  ? 
Its  Promife  lights  not  on  the  Deed, 
But  on  the  doing  Perfon's  Head  j 

Not  for  his  doing,  but  for  this, 
Becaufe  in  Chrift  his  Perfon  is  ; 
Which  Union  to  the  living  Prince, 
His  living  Works  and  Deeds  evince. 

;6. 
Good  Fruits  have  Promife  in  this  View, 
As  Union  to  the  Branch  they  (hew  , 
To  whom  the  Promife s  pertain, 
jn  him  all  Tea,  and  ail  Amen. 

37- 
Pray  obferve,  for  if  here  we  err, 

And  do  not  Christ  alone  prefer ; 

But  think  the  Promife  partly  ftands 

On  our  obeying  new  Commands  s 

3*- 
Th'  old  Cov'nant-Place  to  Works  we  give, 
Or  mingle  Grace  with  do  and  live  ; 
We  overcloud  the  Gofpd- Charms, 
And  alfo  break  our  working  Arms, 


232       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

39- 
More  Honour  to  the  Law  profs/?. 
But  giving  more,   we  give  it  L    : 
Jts  heavy  Yoke   in  vain  we  draw, 
By  turning  Gofpel  into    Law. 

We  rob   Grace  of  its  joyful  Sound, 
And   bury  Cbriji  in  Mofef    Ground; 
At  beft  we  run  a   legal  Race 
Upon  the  Field  of  Gc/jW- Grace. 

Paragraph    IIT. 

Ibe  Gofpel  no  new  Law;  but  a  joyful  Sound  of  Grate 
and  Mercy. 

i. 

AW-Precepts  in  a  Gofpel- Mold,     . 
■*— '   We  may   as  Gofpel-Doctrint  hold  $ 
But  Gofpel-Calls    in  legal  Drefs, 
The  jo\  ful  Sound  of  Grace  fupprefs. 

2. 
Faith  and  Repentance    may  be  taught, 
And  )et    $0 Gofpel-Tidings    brought: 
Jx   as  meer  Duties  thefe  we  prefs, 
And  not  as  Parts  of  promised  Biifs. 

3- 
I;  only  Precepts   we  prefent, 
Tho' .u::r'a  with  (Irongeft  Argument, 
We    'cave  the  w.ik'ned  Sinners  Hope, 
•  -In  Daiknefs  of  De'pair  to  grope. 

4. 
Th?  Man  whom  legal  Precepts  chafe, 
cnitrang*d  to   fcv*  reign  Grace, 
Mrftaking  evanp;eh'rk    Charms, 

.cd  '011  legal  Terms, 


Part  VI.     The  Believer's  Principles.         2$% 

5- 
Looks  to  himfelf  tho'  dead  in  Sin 
For  Grounds  of  Faith  and  Hope  within  ; 
Hence  Fears  and  Fetters  grow  and  fwell, 
Since  nought's  within   but  Sin  and  Hell. 

6. 
But  Faith   that  looks    to  promis'd  Grace, 
Clean   out  of  Self  the  Soul   will  chafe  ; 
To  Chriji  for  Righteoufnefs  and  Strength, 
And  finds  the  joyful  Reit  at  length. 

7; 
Proud  Fleih  and   Blood  will  ftartle  here, 
And    hardly   fuch  Report  can  bear, 
Thai;  Heav'n  ajl-faving  Store  will  give 
To   them  that  vjork  not,  but  believe  ; 

Yet  not  of  Works^  but  'tis  the  Race 
Of  Faiths  thai  it  may  be   of  Grace  : 
For  Faith    does    nothing   but  agree 
To  welcome  this  Salvation  free. 

9- 

"  Come  down,  Zaccheus,  quickly  come, 

44  Salvation's  brought/  unto  thy  Home : 
"  In  vain  thou  climb'ft  the^egal  Tree, 
Salvation   freely  comes  to  thee. 


iC 


"  Thou  dream'h1  of  coming  up  to  Terrns^ 
<c  Come  down  into  my  faving  Arms  ; 
li  Down,  down,  and  get  a  Pardon  heQ% 
"  On  Terms   already  wrought  by  me. 

n. 

<c  Behold  the 'BleiFmgs  of  my  Blood* 
"  Bought  for  thy  everlafljng  Good  : 
''And   freely   all    to-  be  con vey'd 
*'  Upon  the  Prjce  already  paid. 


134        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

12. 

*  I  know  thou  haft   no  Good,  and  fee 
"  I  cannot   (land  on  Terms  with  thee  ; 
<c  Whofe  Fall  has  left  thee  nought  to  claim, 
**  Nor  aught  to  boaft  but  Sin  and  Shame. 

The  Law  of  heavy  hard  Commands 
Confirms  the  waken'd  Sinner's  Bands  ; 
But  Grace  proclaims   relieving  News, 
And  Scenes  of  matchlefs  Mercy  fhews. 

14. 
No  Precept  clogs  the  Gofpel-Call, 
But  wherein  Grace  is  all  in  all  -, 
No  Law  is  here  but  that  of  Grace, 
Which  brings  Relief  in  every  Cafe. 

15- 

The  Gofpel  is  the  Promife  fair 

Of  Grace  all  Ruins  to  repair, 
And  leaves  no  Sinner  room  to  fay, 
•'  Alas !  this  Debt  I  cannot  pay  : 

16. 
cf  This  grievous  Yoke  I  cannot  bear, 
**  This  high  Demand  I  cannot  clear  ; 
Grace  flops  the  Mouth  of  fuch   Complaints, 
And  Store  of  full  Supply  prefents. 

.  7- 

The  glorious  Gofpel  is  (in  brief) 
A  fov'rei^n  Word  of  fweet  Relief; 
Not  clogg'd  with  cumberfome  Commands, 
To   bind  the  Soul's   receiving  Hands. 

1 3. 

Ti 5  joyful  News  cf  fovereign  Grace, 

reigns  in  .State    thro'  Right  eoufnefs^ 
To  -nil  (bin   from  ail    threatening  JVoes, 
And  ^nfvvcr  all   commanding  DSs, 


1* 


Part  VI.     The  Believer's  Principles,         23 £ 

19. 

This  Gofpel   comes  with  Help  indeed, 
Adapted   unto  Sinners    need  : 
Thefe  joyful   News    that  fuit   their  Cafe, 
Are  Chariots   of  his  drawing  Grace : 

20. 
*Tis  here  the  Spirit  powerful  rides, 
The  Fountains  of  the   Deep  divides  ; 
The  King  of  Glory's  Splendour  fliews, 
And  wins  the  Heart  with  welcome  News, 


Paragraph  IV. 

TIh  Gofpel   further  defcribed,  as   a  Bundle  of  gosi 
News  and  gracious  Protnifes. 

1. 

THE  firfl  grand  Promife  forth   did  break 
In  threats  againft  the  tempting  Snake  -9 
So   may   the  Gofpel    in  Commands* 
Yet  nor  in  Threats  nor  Precepts  ftands  : 

2. 
But  'tis  a  Doctrine   of  free  Grants 
To  Sinners  that  they  may  be  Saints : 
A  joyful  Sound  of  royal   Gifts, 
To.  obviate  unbelieving  Shifts. 

3' 
A  Promife  of  divine  Supplies, 

To  work  all  gracious  Qualities, 

In  thofe  who  'pronefr  to  rebel, 

Are   only  qualify'd  for    Hell. 

4- 
Courting  vile  Sinners  e'en   the  Chier, 
It  leaves  no  Cloke    for  Unbelief ; 
But  e'en  on  grofs  Manaffehs  calls,, 
On  Mary  Magdakns  and  Sauls, 


236      GOSPEL  SONNETS. 

5- 
*Tis  good  News  of  a   Fountain  ope 

For  £7;z  and  ivV/A ;  a  jDswr  of  //^ 

For  thole   that  lie  in  Blood    and  Gore, 

And  of  a  Salve  for  every  Sore. 

6. 
Gkd  News   of  Sight  unto  the  blind  j 
Of  Light  unto   the    darken'd  Mind ; 
Of  Healing   to  the  deadly  Sick  ; 
And  Mercy  both  to  y^w  and  Greek. 

7- 
Good  News  of  GW<^  to  Poor  that  lack  ; 
Of  Raiment  to  the  naked  Back  ; 
Of  Binding   to  the  Wounds  that  fmart  ; 
And  Reji  unto  the  weary  Heart. 

8. 
Glad  News  of  Freedom  to  the  Bound, 
Of  Store  all  LofTes   to  refound  : 
Of  endlefs  Life  unto   the  Dead, 
And  prefent  Help  in  Time  of  Need. 

9- 

Good  News  of  Heaven^  where  Angels  dwell, 

To  thofe  that  well  deferved   Hell : 

Of  Strength   to  Weak,    for  Work  and  War  ; 

And  Accefs  near  to  thofe  afar. 

io. 
Glad  News  of  "Joy  to  thofe    that  weep, 
And  tender  Care  of  cripple   Sheep  ; 
Of  Shelter  to  the    Soul    purfu'd, 
And  cleanfmg  to  the  hellifh  hued. 

1 1. 
Of  Floods  to  lap  the  parched  Ground, 
And  Streams  to  run  the  Defart    round  : 
Of  Ranfom  to  the  Captive  caught, 
And  Harbour  to  the  foundling  Yacht. 

la. 


Part  VI.      The  Believers  trmctples.      *%f 

12. 

Of  timely  Aid  to  weary  Grones  ; 
Of  Joy  reftor'd  to  broken  Bones  ; 
Of  Grace  divine  to  gracelefs  Preys  ; 
And  Glory  to  the  vile  and  bafe. 

Of  living  Water  pure,  that  teems 
On  fainting  Souls  refrefning  Streams  ; 
Of  gen'rous  Wine  to  chear  the  ftrong, 
And  Milk  to  fee,d  the  tender  Young* 

14. 
Of  faving  Faith  to  faithlefs  ones  ; 
Of  J "oft 'ning  Grace  to  flinty  Stones  ; 
Of Pardon  to  a  guilty  Crew; 
And  Mercy  free,  where  Wrath  was  due, 

15. 
Good  News  of  welcome  kind  to  all, 
That  come  to  Jesus  at  his  Call ; 
Yea  News  of  drawing  Povjer  when  fcant 
To  thofe  that  fain  would  come,  and  can't, 

16. 
Glad  News  of  rich  myfterious  Grace, 
And  Mercy  meeting  every  Cafe  ; 
Of  Store  immenfe  all  Voids  to  fill, 
And  free  to  wbofoever  will. 

l7- 
Of  Chrift  exalted  as  a  Prince. 

Pardons  to  give  and  Penitence  ; 

Of  Grace  o'ercoming  ftubborn  Wills,  . 

And  leaping  over  B ether  Hills. 


\ 


Faith  comes  by  hearing  the fe  Reports  ; 
Straight  to  the  Court  of  Grace  reforfc 
And  free  of  mercenary  Thought 
Gets  royaj  Bounty  all  for  nought, 


i'f, 


*3&      GOSPEL   SONNETS, 

Faith's  Wing  wnhin  the  clammy  Sea 
Of  legal  Merit  cannot  tlee  ; 
But  mounting  Merck's  Air  apace, 
Soars  in  the  Element  of  Grace. 

20. 
But  as  free  Love  the  Blefling  gives, 
To  him  that  works  not,   but  believes  j 
So  Faith  once  reaching  its  Defire, 
Woiks  hard  by  Love,  but  not  for  Hire. 


CHAP.     III. 

The   Be  l  i  e  v  e  r's  Principles, 

Concerning 

Justification  and  Sanctification, 
their  Difference  and  Harmony. 

SECT.    I. 

The  Difference  between  Justification  and  Sanctifica- 
tion, or  Riehtcoufnefs  imputed  and  Grace  im- 
parted ;   in  upwards  of  thirty  Particulars. 

Uot  T.  y  Tkn  jfrafetti  causa)  Justification  is  here  fo  retimes  exprefs^d  by 
the  W^Aiy  imjnjited  G'^ce,  juft.fymg  Grace,  Righteoufhf-is,  Cy'c. 
Sdfiftifi'cction  I'V  the  Na  es,  imparted  Grace,  Grace,  Graces, 
H.u:r..e.s,  Sinftltvy  &t.  ivbicb  the  Judicious  luilleafily  under/land, 

I. 

1^  INT)  Jesu.s  fpent  his  Life  to  fpin 
■*•/*-'     My  Robe  of  pet  feci:  Righteoufnefs  : 
But  b:'  his  Split's  Work  within, 
He  form*  my  gracious  hoJy  Diq&* 


Part  VI.    The  Believer's  Principles.         23 9 

2. 

He  as  a  Frieji  me  juftifies, 

His  Blood  does  roaring  Confcience  ftill  % 
But  as  a  &£•  he  fan&ifies, 

And  fubjugates  my  ftubborn  WilL 

0' 

He  juftifying  by  his  Merit, 

Imputes  to  me  his  Righteoufnefs ; 
But  fanctifying  by  his  Spirit, 

Infufes  in  me  faving  Grace, 

4- 
My  juftifying  Righteoufnefs 

Can  merit  by  Condignity  : 
But  nothing  with  my  ftrongeft  Grace,. 

Can  be  deferv'd  by  naughty  me. 

5- 
(This  juftifying  Favour  fets 

The  Guilt  of  all  my  Sin  remote  \ 
•But  fan&ifying  Grace  deletes 

The  Filth  and  Blacknefs  of  its  Blot. 

6. 

•  By  virtue  of  this  Righteoufnefs 

Sin  can't  condemn  nor  juftly  brand  : 
By  virtue  of  infufed  Grace 

Anon  it  ceafes  to  command. 

.       .  7. 

The  Righteoufnefs  which  I  enjoy. 

Sin's  damning  Power  will  wholly  Say* 
_4nd  Grace  imparted  will  deftroy 

Its  ruling  domineering  Sway. 

i  s. 

The  former  is  my  Judge's  Acl, 

Of  Condonation  full  and  free  : 
The  latter  his  commenced  Fatf^ 

And  gradual  Work  advanc'd  in  me* 


240        GOSPEL    SONNETS, 

The  former's  bijlantancous^ 

The  Moment  that  I  firfl:  believe: 
The    lacter  is  as  Heav'n  allows, 

Progrtjjive   while  on  Earth  I  live. 

10. 
The  firft  will  Peace  to  Confcience  Hue, 

The  laft  the  filthy  Heart   will  cleanfe  : 
The  firft  efTcas  a  Relative, 

The  laft  a  real  inward  Charge. 

1 1. 
The  former  pardons  every  &"«, 

And  courts  me  righteous,   free  and  juft  j 
The  latter  quickens  Grace  within, 

And  mortifies  my  Sin  and  Lult,    ' 

12. 

Imputed  Grace  intitles  me 

Unto  eternal  Kappinefs  : 
Imparted  Grace  will  qualify 

That  heav'nly  Kingdom  to  pofTefs, 

My  Righteoufnefs   is  infinite, 

B  th  fubjectively  and  in   kind  5 
My  Holinefs    molt    incomplete, 

And  duily  wavers  like   the  Wind* 

So   Jailing  is  my  outer  Drefs, 

It    never  wears  nor  waxes  old  , 
My  inner  Garb  of  Grace  decays 

And  fades,  if  Heav'n  do  not  uphold. 

I* 

My  Pvighteoufnefs  and  Pardon  is, 

j    mo  ft  perfect   and  compkat  \ 

But  buncHty   admus  Degrees, 
Does  v&y.'i  iiuctuute  and  fleet. 

16, 


Part  VI.       The  Believer's  Principles,       241 

16. 
Hence  fix'd  my  Righteoufnefs  divine5 

No  real  Change  can  undergo  ; 
But  all  my  Graces  wax  and  wane, 

By  various  Turnings  ebb  and  flow. 

l7- 
I'm  by  the  firft  #5  Righteous  now, 

As  e'er  hereafter  I  can  be  ; 
The  laft  will  to  Perfection  growy 

Heav'n  only  is  the  full  Degree. 

18. 
The  firft  is  equals  wholly  given, 

And  fell  the  fame  in  every  Saint : 
The  laft  unequal  and  unev'n, 

While  fome  enjoy  what  others  want. 

19. 
My  Righteoufnefs  divine  is  frem, 

Forever  pure  and  heav'nly  both  ; 
My  Sanctity  is  partly  Flejh, 

And  juftly  term'd  a  ?nenJiruous  Cloth, 

20. 
My  Righteoufnefs  I  magnify, 

'Tis  my  triumphant  lofty  Flag  5 
But  pois'd  with  this  my  Sanctity, 

Is  nothing  but  a  filthy  Rag. 

21.  r 

I  glory  in  my  Righteoufnefs, 

And  loud  extol  it  with  my  Tongue  5 
But  all  my  Grace  compar'd  with  this,. 

I  under-rate  as  Lofs  and  Dung. 

12... 

By  juftifying  Grace  I'm  apt 

Of  divine  Favour  free  to  boaft  -y 
"By  Holinefs  I'm  parti-/  fhap'd 

Into  his  Image  I  had  loft. 


242       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

23. 

The  firft  to  divine  Juftice  pays 
A  Rent  cO  ftill  the  furious  Storm  ; 

The  laft  to  divine  Holinefs 
Inftrucls  me  duly  to  conform. 

24. 
The  firft  does  quench  the  fiery  Law, 

Its  rigid  Covenant  fully  ftay  ; 
The  laft  its  Rule  embroider 'd  draw,  - 

To  deck  my  Heart  and  gild  my  way. 

The  Subjeft  of  my  Righteoufnefs 
Is  Chrift  himfelf  my  glorious  Head  5 

But  I  the  Subject  am  of  Grace, 
As  he  fupplies  my  daily  Need. 

26. 
The  Matter  of  the  former  too, 

Is  only  Chrift's  Obedience  dear  ; 
But  lo,  his  helping  me  to  do, 

Is  all  the  Work  and  Matter  here. 

27. 
I  on  my  Righteoufnefs  rely 

For  Heav'n's  Acceptance  free,  and  win  \    • 
But,  in  this  Matter,  muft  deny 

My  Grace,  e'en  as  I  do  my  Sin. 
28. 
Tho'  all  my  Graces  precious  are, 

Yea,  perfect  alfo  in  Defire  ; 
They  cannot  ftand  before  the  Bar, 

Where  awful  Juftice  is  Umpire : 

29. 
But  in  the  Robe  that  Chrift  did  fpin, 

They  are  of  great  and  high  Requeft  9 
They  have  Acceptance  wrapt  within 

My  elder  Brother's  bloody  Veil. 


3#. 


Part  VI.     The  Believer's  Principles.         243 

30. 
My  Rightedufnefs  proclaims  me  great, 

And  fair  e'en  in  the  Sight  of  God  * 
But  Sanctity's  my  main  Ojf-fet, 

Before  the  gazing  World  abroad. 

it- 

More  juftify'd  I  cannot  be 

By  all  my  moll  religious  Acts  ; 
But  thefe  increafe  my  Sanctity, 

That's  Ml  attended  with  Defects* 

32. 
My  Righteoufnefs  the  fafeft  Ark 

'Midft  every  threatening  Flood  will  be  j 
My  Graces  but  a  leaking  Bark, 

Upon  a  ftormy  raging  Sea. 

I  fee  in  juftifying  Grace 

God's  Love  to  me  does  ardent  burn  ; 
But  by  imparted  Holinefs 

I  grateful  Love  for  Love  return. 

34- 
My  Righteoufnefs  is  that  which  draws 

My  thankful  Heart  to  this  Refpect  a 

The  former  then  is  firft  the  Caufe% 

The  lattefis  the  fweet  Effeft. 

35-' 
Chrift  is  in  juftifying  me, 

By  Name,  the  Lord  my  Righteoufnefs  t 

But  as  he  comes  to  fanctify, 

I'he  Lord  my  Strength  and  Help  he  is* 

.36. 

In  that  I  have  the  Patient's  Place, 

For  there  JEHOVAH's  Aft  is  all  5 
But  in  the  other  I'm  thro'  Grace 

An  Agent  working  at  his  Call* 

r  2  # ; 


244      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

37- 
The  firji  does  Jlavijlo  Fear  forbid, 

For   there  his  Wrath  revenging  ends ; 
The  laft  commands  my  filial  Dread, 

For  here  paternal  Ire  attends* 

38. 

The  former  does  annul  my  Woe, 
By  God's  judicial  Sentence  paft ; 

The  latter  makes    my  Graces  grow, 
Faith,   Love,  Repentance   and  the  reft. 

The  firft  does  divine  Pard'ning  Love 

Moil:    freely  man  i  fed  to  me  ; 
The  laft  makes  mining  Graces  prove* 

Mine  Int'reft  in  the  Pardon  free. 

My  Soul  in  juftifying  Grace, 

Does  full  and  free  Acceptance  gain  ; 

In  Sanctity    I  Heavenward   prefs 
By  fweet  Ajfijlance  I  obtain. 

41. 
The    firft  declares  I'm   free  of  Debt, 

And  nothing  left  for  me  to  pay  y 
The  laft  makes  me  a  Debtor  yet, 

But  helps   to  pay  it  every  Day. 

42. 
My  Righteoufnefs  with  Wounds  and  Blood 

Difcharg'd  both  Law   and  Juftice'  fcore  5 
Hence  with  the  Debt  of  Gratitude, 

I'll  charge  rnyfelf  for  evermore. 


SECT. 


Part  VI.      The  Believer's  Principles.       245 

SECT.    II. 

The  Harmony  between  Juftification  and  Sanclification. 

1. 

"L-JE  who  me  decks  with   Righteoufnefs, 
-*■  -*-     With  Grace  will  alfo  clothe  ; 
For   glorious  Jesus   came  to  blefs, 
By  Blood  and  Water  both. 

2. 
That  in  his  Righteoufnefs  I  truft, 

My  Sanctity  will  fhew ; 
Tho'  Graces  cannot  make  me  juft? 

They  Jhew  me  to  be  fo. 

3- 
All  thofe  who  freely  juftify'd, 

Are  of  the  pardon'd  Race  5 
Anon   are  alfo  fan&ify'd, 

And  purify'd  by  Grace. 

4-  , 
Where  Juftice  ftern  does  jtiftify, 

There  Holinefs  is  clear'd, 
Heav'n's  Equity  and  Sanctity 

Can  never  be  feverM, 

5- 
Hence  when  my  Soul   with  Pardon  deckt* 

Perceives  no  divine  Ire  ; 

Then  Holinefs  I  do  affecl: 

With  paffionate  Defire, 

6. 
His  juftifying  Grace  is  fuch, 

As  wafts  my  Soul   to  Heaven  ; 
I  cannot  choofe  but  love  him  much, 

Who  much  has  me  forgiven. 

R  3  7- 


246     GOSPEL   SONNETS, 

7- 
The  Sun  of  Righteoufnefs  that  brings 

RemifEon  in  his  Rays  ; 
The  Healing  in  his  golden  Wings 

Of  Light  and  Heat  conveys. 

8. 
Wherever  Jesus  is  a  Prieft, 

There  will  he  be  a  King  j 
He  that  aflbils  from  Sin's  Arreft, 

Won't  tolerate  its  Reign. 

9' 

The  Title  of  a  precious  Grace 

To  Faith  /nay  juftly  fall, 
Becaufe  its  open  Arms  embrace 
A  precious  Chrift  for  all. 

io. 

From  precious  Faith,  a  precious  Strife 

Of  precious  Virtues  flow, 
A  precious  Heart,  a  precious  Life, 

And  precious  Duties  too. 

•  i  i. 

Wherever  Faith  does  juftify, 

It  purifies  the  Heart ; 
The  Pardon  and  the  Purity 

Join  Hands,  and  never  part. 

12. 

The  happy  State  of  Pardon  dotfe 

An  holy  Life  infer  : 
In  Subjects  capable  of  both 

They  never  funder'd  were. 

Yet  in  Defence  of  Truth  muft  we 

Diftinc~tly  view  the  Twain  ; 
That  how  they  differ,  how  agree, 

We  may  in  Truth  maintain. 


ML 


Part  VI.    The  Believer's  Principles.        247 

14. 
Two  Natures  in  one  Perfon  dwell, 

Which  no  Divifeon  know, 
In  our  renow'd  Immanuel, 

Without  Confufton  too. 

»'\ 

Thofe  that  divide  them  grofsly  err, 

Tho'  yet  diftinft  they  be  : 
Thofe  who  Confufton  hence  infer, 
Imagine  Blafphemy. 

16. 
Thus  Righteoufnefs  and  Grace  we  muft 

Nor  funder  nor  confound  : 
Elfe  holy  Peace  to  us  is  loft, 

And  facred  Truth  we  wound. 

?7- 
While  we  their  proper  Place  maintain 

In  Friendfhip  fweet  they  dwell  ; 

But  or  to  part  or  blend  the  twain, 

Are  Errors  hatch'd  in  Hell. 

18. 
To  feparate  what  God  does  join, 

Is  wicked  and  profane ; 
To  mix  and  mutilate  his  Coin, 

Is  damnable  and  vain. 

19. 
Tho*  plain  Diftin&ion  muft  take  place  ; 

Yet  no  Divifion  here, 
Nor  dark  Confufion,  elfe  the  Grace 

Of  both  will  difappear. 

30, 
Lo,  Errors  grofs  on  every  Side 

Confpire  to  hurt  and  wound  ;  % 

Antinomifis  do  them  divide, 

And  Lega  lifts  confound. 

R  4  CHAP, 


243       GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

CHAP.    IV. 

The  Believer's  Principles. 
Concerning  Faith  and  Sense. 

IVhere,  ( I )  Of  Faith  and  Senfe  natural.  (2)  Of  Faith 
and  Senfe  fpiritual.  (3)  The  Harmony  and  Dif- 
cord  between  Faith  and  Senfe.  (4)  The  Valour  and 
Victories  of  Faith.  (5)  The  Heights  and  Depths 
of  Senfe.  (6)  Faith  and  Frames  compared,  or  Faith 
building  upon  Senfe  difcovered. 

SECT.    I. 

Faith  and  Senfe  natural,   compared  and  diflinguijhed, 

I, 

IXfHEN   Abrams  Body,    Sarah's  Womb, 

*  *      Were  ripe  for  nothing  but  the  Tomb, 
Exceeding  old  and   wholly  dead, 
Unlike  to  bear  the  promis'd  Seed  : 

2. 
Faith  faid,    /  fnall  an   Ifaac  fee  ; 
No,  No,   faid  Senfe,    it  cannot  be  : 
Blind  Reafon   to  augment  the  Strife, 
Adds,  Hoiv  can  Death  engender  Life  f 

3- 
My  Heart  is  like  a  rotten  Tomb, 

More  dead  than  ever  Sarah's  Womb  ; 

O,  can  the  promis'd  Seed  01   Grace 

Spring  forth   from  fuch  a  barren  PI 


Part  VL     The  Believer's  Principles.         249 

,4- 
Senfe  gazing  but  on  flinty  Rocks, 
My  Hope  and  Expectation  chokes; 
But  could  I,  fkill'd  in  Abram's  Art, 
O'erlook  my  dead  and  barren  Heart  ; 

And  build  my  Hope  on  nothing  lefs 
Than  divine  Pow'r  and  Faithfulnefs ; 
Soon  would  I  find  him   raife  up   Sons 
To  Abram^  out  of  Rocks  and  Stones. 

6. 
Faith   a£ts  as  bufy   Boatmen  do, 
Who  backward  look  and  forward  row  ; 
It  looks  intent  to  Things   unfeen, 
Thinks  Objects  vifible  too  mean. 

7- 
Senfe  thinks  it  Madnefs  thus  to  fleer, 

And  only    trufts  its   Eye  and  Ear ; 

Into  Faith's  Boat  dare  thruft  its  Oar, 

Ani  put  it  further  from  the  Shore. 

8. 
Faith  does  alone  the  Promife  eye  ; 
Senfe  won't  believe   unlefs  it  fee  ; 
Nor  can   it   truft  the  divine  Guide, 
Unlefs  it  have   both  Wind  and  Tide.  „ 

9- 

Faith  thinks   the  Promife  fure  and  good  \ 
Senfe  doth  depend'  on  likelihood  ; 
Faith  even  in  Storms    believes  the  Seers, 
Senfe   calls  all  Men,  even  Prophets,  Lyars. 

10. 
Paith  ufes  Means,  but  refts  on  none  ; 
Senfe   foils  when  outward  Means  are  gone, 
Trufts  more   in  Probabilities, 
Than  all  the  divine  Proraifes. 


25o     GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

ii. 

It  refts  upon  the  nifty  Beam 
Of  outward  things  that  hopeful  feem  ; 
Let  thefe  its  Supports  fink  or  ceafe, 
No  Promife  then  can  yield  it  Peace. 

12. 

True  Faith  that's  of  a  divine  Brood 
Confults  not  bafe  with  Flefh  and  Blood  j 
But  carnal  Senfe  which  ever  errs, 
With  carnal  Reafon  ftill  confers. 

What  !  won't  my  Difciples  believe, 
That  I  am  rifen  from  the  Grave  ? 
Why  will  tjbey  pore  on  Duft  and  Death, 
And  overlook  my  quick'ning  Breath  ? 

14. 
Why  do  they  flight  the  Word  I  fpake  ? 
And  rather  forry  Counfel  take, 
With  Death  and  with  a  pow'rlefs  Grave, 
If  they  their  Captive  can  relieve  ? 

**■ 
Senfe  does  inquire,  if  Tombs  of  Clay 

Can  fend  their  Guefts  alive  away  ; 

But  Faith  will  hear  Jehovah's  Word, 

Of  Life  and  Death  the  fov'reign  Loral. 

16. 
Should  I  give  ear  to  rotten  Dufl, 
Or  to  the  Tombs  confine  my  Truft, 
No  Refurredtion  can  I  fee, 
For  Duft  that  flees  into  mine  Eye. 

if. 
What !  Thomas,  can't  thou  truft  fo  much 
To  me,  as  to  thy  Sight  and  Touch  ? 
Won't  thou  believe  till  Senfe  be  Guide, 
And  thruft  its  Hand  into  my  Side  I 


18 


Part  VI.      The  Believer's  Principles,       251 

18. 
Where  is  thy  Faith,  if  it  depends 
On  nothing  but  thy  Finger-Ends  ? 
But  blefs'd  are  they  the  Truth  who  feal 
By  Faith,  yet  neither  fee  nor  feel. 


SECT.    II. 

Faith  and  Senfe  fpiritual  compared  and  diftinguififd. 
Where  alfo  is  Jhowrfl,  the  Difference  between  the 
Affurance  of  Faith  and  the  Affurance  of  Senfe, 

1, 

^pHE  Certainty  of  Faith  and  Senfe 
■*■    Wide  differ  in  Experience  : 
Faith  builds  upon  7husfaith  the  Lord ; 
Senfe  views  his  Work^  and  not  his  Word* 

2. 
God's  Word  without  is  Faith's  Refort, 
His  Work  within  doth  Senfe  fupport. 
By  Faith  we  truft  him  without  *  Pawns, 
By  Senfe  we  handle  with  our  Hands. 

3- 

By  Faith  the  Word  of  Truth's  received, 
By  Senfe  we  know  we  have  believ'd. 
Faith's  certain  by  fiducial  Acts, 
Senfe  by  its  evidential  Facts. 

4- 
Faith  credits  the  divine  Report, 

-Senfe  to  his  Breathings  makes  refort : 

That,  on  his  Word  of  Grace  will  hing, 

This,  on  his  Spirit  witnejjing* 

*  Pledges, 


±52      GOSPEL  SONNETS. 

5- 
By  Faith  I  take  the  Lord    for  mine, 
By  Senfe  I  feel  his  Love  divine  : 
By  that,  I  touch  his  Garment's  Hem, 
By  this,  find  Virtue  thence  to  ftream, 

6. 
By  Faith  I  have  mine  all  on  Band, 
By  Senfe  I  have  fome  Stock  in  Hand. 
By  that  fome  Vlfion  is  begun, 
By  this  I  fome  Fruition  win. 

7-  • 
My  Faith   can  fend  e'en  in  Exile, 
Senfe  cannot  live  without  a  Smile. 
By  Faith  I  to  his  Promife  fly. 
By  Senfe  I  in  his  Bofom  lie. 

8. 
Faith  builds  upon  the  Truth  of  God, 
That  lies  within  the  Promife  broad  ; 
But  Senfe  upon  the  Truth  of  Grace 
His  Hand  within  my  Heart  did  place. 

9- 
Thus  CHRIST'S  the  Objea  Faith  will  eye, 

And  Faith's  the  Object  Senfe  may  fee : 

Faith  keeps  the  Truth  of   God  in  view, 

While  Senfe  the  Truth  of  Faith  may  fhew. 

10. 

Hence  Faith's  AfTurance  firm  can  fland, 
When  Senfe's  in  the  Deep  may  flrand> 
And  Faith's  Perfuafion    full  prevail, 
When  comfortable  Senfe  may  fail. 

1 1. 
I  am  afTur'd  when  Faith's  in  AcT, 
Tho'  Senfe   and  Feeling  both  I  lack  ; 
And  thus  myfterious    is  my  Lot, 
I'm  oft  afTur'd   when  I  am  not  -, 


12. 


Part  VI.      vve  mievers  rrinctpies.       253 
12. 

Oft  pierc'd  with  racking  Doubts  and  Fears, 
Yet  Faith  thefe  Brambles  never  bears ; 
But  Unbelief  that  cuts  my  Breath, 
And  ftops   the  Language  of  my  Faith. 

.  *.  I3' 
Clamours   of  unbelieving  Fears, 

So    frequently  difturb  mine  Ears  ; 

I  cannot  hear  what  Faith  would  fay, 

'Till  once  the  noify  Clamour  Ray. 

14. 
And  then  will  frefh  Experience   find, 
When  Faith  gets  leave  to  fpeak  its  Mind, 
The  native  Language   thereof  is, 
My  Lord  is  miney  and  I  am  his. 

15. 

Sad  Doubtings  compafs  me  about, 
Yet  Faith  it  felf  could  never  doubt  ; 
For  as  the  facred  Volume   faith, 
Much  Doubting  argues   little  Faith. 

16. 
The  Doubts  and  Fears  that  work  my  Grief, 
Flow  not  from  Faith,   but  Unbelief ; 
For  Faith,  whene'er   it  a&eth,  cures 
The  Plague  of  Doubts,  and  me  allures. 

But  when  mine  Eye  of  Faith's  afleep, 
I  dream  of  drowning  in  the  Deep  -} 
But  as  befals  the  fleeping  Eye, 
Tho'  Sight  remain,  it  cannot  fee  ; 

18. 

The   feeing  Faculty    abides, 
Tho'  Sleep  from  active  Seeing  hides : 
So  Faith's  afTuring  Pow'rs  endure 
E'en  when  it  ceafes  to  allure. 

*9- 


254        ^VbftLL,     SUIMJNliTS, 

18. 
There's  ftill  perfuafion  in  my  Faith, 
E'en  when  I'm  fill'd  with  Fears  of  Wrath  : 
The  trufting  Habit  ftill  remains, 
Tho'  Slumbers  hold  the  Aft  in  Chains. 

*9 

Th'  afTuring  Faculty  it  keeps, 

E'en  when  its  Eye  in  Darknefs  fleeps* 
Wrapt  up  in  Doubts;  but  when  it  wakes, 
It  roufes  up  alluring  A&s. 


SECT.     III. 

¥he  Harmony  and  Difcord  between  Faith  and  Senfe* 
How  they  help  and  how  they  mar  each  other, 

i. 

npHO'  gallant  Faith  can  keep  the  Field, 
-■*     W  hen  cow'rdly  Senfe  will  flee  or  yield  : 
Yet  while  I  view  their  ufual  Path, 
Senfe  often  ftands  and  falls  with  Faith. 

2. 
Faith  ufhers  in  fweet  Peace  and  Joy, 
Which  further  heartens  Faith's  Employ  ; 
Faith  like  the  Head,  and  Senfe  the  Heart, 
Do  mutual  Vigour  frem  impart. 

3- 
When  lively  Faith  and  Feeling  fweet, 
Like  deareft  Darlings  kindly  meet; 
They  ftraight  each  other  help  and  hug,] 
In  loving  Friendfhip  clofe  and  fnug. 

!  4- 

Faith  gives  to  Senfe  both  Life  and  Breath, 

And  Senfe  gives  Joy  and  Strength  to  Faith  *, 

"  O  now,  fays  Faith,  how  fond  do  I 

•'  In  Senfe's  glowing  Bofom  lie  !  " 


I 


Fart  VI.      Hoe  Believer's  rrtncipies.      2§g 

Their  mutual  Kindnefs  then  is  fuch, 
That  oft  they  doatirig  too  too  much, 
Embrace  each  other  out  of  Breath  ; 
ks.Mfop  hugg'd  his  Child  to  Death. 

6. 

Faith  leaping  into  Senfe's  Arms, 
Allur'd  with  her  bewitching  Charms, 
In  hugging  thefe,  lets  rafhly  flip 
The  proper  Object  of  its  Grip. 

7- 
Which  being  loft,  behold  the  Thrall ! 

Anon  Faith  lofes  Senfe  and  all : 

Thus  unawares  cuts  Senfe's  Breath, 

While  Senfe  trips  up  the  Heels  of  Faith. 

8. 
Her  Charms  afTuming  Jesus'  Place, 
While  Faith's  lull'd  in  her  foft  Embrace  ; 
Lo,  foon  in  dying  Pleafures  wrapt, 
Its  living  Joy  away  is  fnapt. 


SECT.    IV. 

The  Valour  and  Victories  of  Faith- 


i  > 
T}  Y  Faith  I  unfeen  Being  fee, 
■***   Forth  lower  Beings  call  ; 
And  fay  to  nothing,  Let  it  b.ey 
And  nothing  hatches  all. 

2. 

By  Faith  I  know  the  Worlds  were  made 
By  GOD's  great  Word  of  Might  3 

How  foon  let  there  be  Light  he  /aid, 
That  Moment  there  was  Light. 


M* 


GOo/lL    SONNETS. 


3- 

By  Faith  I  foar  and  force  my  Flight 
Thro'   all  the  Clouds  of  Senfe j 

I  fee  the  Glories  out  of  Sight, 
With  brighteft  Evidence. 

4- 
By  Faith    I  mount  the  azure  Sky, 

And  from  the  lofty  Sphere 
The  Earth  a   little  Mote  efpy, 

Unworthy  of  my  Care. 

5- 
By  Faith  I  fee  the  unfeen  Things. 

Hid   from  all  mortal  Eyes, 
Proud  Reafon  ftretching  all  its  Wings, 

Beneath  me  fluttering  lies. 

6. 
By  Faith  1  build  my   lafting  Hope 

On  Righteoufneft  divine  -, 
Nor  can  I  fink    with  fuch  a  Prop, 

Whatever  Storms  combine. 

7- 

'   By  Faith   my  Works,   my  Righteoufnefs, 

And  Duties,   all  I  own 
But  Lofs  and  Dung;  and  lay  my  Strefs 
On  what  my  Lord  has    done. 

8. 
By  Faith  I  overcome  the  World, 

And  all   its    hurtful  Charms ; 
I'm  in  the  heav'nly  Chariot    hurl'd 

Through  all  oppofing  Harms, 

By  Faith  I   have  a  con q' ring  Power 

To  tread  upon  my  Foes, 
To  triumph    in  a  dying  Hour, 

And  banifh  an   my  Woes. 


Part  VI.     The  Believer's  Principles,         257 

10. 

By  Faith  in  midfr.  of  Wrongs   Pm  right, 

In  fad  Decays    I  thrive  ; 
In  Weaknefs  I  am  ftrong  in  Might, 

In  Death    I  am  alive. 

1 1. 

By  Faith  I  ftand   when  deep   I  fall, 

In  Darknefs   I  have  Light ; 
Nor  dare  I  doubt  and  queftion  all, 

When  all  is  out  of  Sight. 

12. 
By  Faith   I  truft  a  Pardon  free, 

Which  puzzles  Flefli  and  Blood; 
To  think  that  God   can  juftify, 

Where  yet  he  fees  no  Good. 
12. 
By  Faith  I  keep  my  Lord's  Commands,- 

To  verify  my  Truft ; 
I  purify  my  Heart   and  Hands, 

And  mortify  my  Luft. 

By  Faith  my  melting  Soul  repents, 

When   pierced  Chrtft  appears  : 
My  Heart  in  grateful  Praifes  vents, 

Mine  Eyes  in  joyful  Tears. 

Byrf/  ch  J  Can  the  Mountains  vaft 

Of  Sin  and  Guilt  remove  ; 
And  them   into  the  Ocean  caft, 

The  Sea  of  Blood   and  Love. 

By  Faith  I  (ee  JEHOVAH  high 

Upon  a  Throne  of  Grace  ; 
I  fee  him  lay    his  Vengeance  by  ; 

And  fmik  in  JESUS'  Face. 

S  17. 


258      GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

By  Faith  I  hope  to  fee  the  Sun, 

The  Light  of  Grace  that  lent, 
His  everlafting  Circles  run 

\In  Glory's  Firmament. 

1 8. 
By  Faith  I'm  more  than  Conqueror, 

Ev'n  tho'  I  nothing  can  ; 
Becaufe  I  fet  JEHOVAH's  Power 

Before  me  in  the  Van. 

"9- 

By  Faith  I  counterplot  my  Foes, 

Nor  need  their  Ambufh  fear  -} 
Becaufe  my  Life-guard  alfo  goes 
Behind  me  in  the  Rear. 

20. 
By  Faith  I  walk,  I  run,   I  fly, 

By  Faith' I  fuffer  Thrall; 
By  Faith  I'm  fit  to  live  and  die, 

By  Faith  I  can  do  all. 


SECT.     V. 

TJie  Heights  and  Depths  of  Senfe. 

i. 
"XX  7 HEN  Heav'n  me  grants  at  certain  Times 

*  *       Amidft  a  pow'rful  Gale, 
Sweet  Liberty  to  moan  my  Crimes, 
And  Wand'rings  to  bewail ; 

2. 

Then  do  I  dream  my  finful  Brood, 

Drown'd  in  the  Ocean-Main 
Of  cryftai  Tears  and  crimfon  Blood, 

Will  never  live  again. 


3: 


Fart  VI.       The  Believer  s  Principles.-      259 

3. 
I  get  my  Foes  beneath  my  Feet, 

I  bruife  the  Serpent's  Head  ; 
I  hope  the  Vi&ory  is  complete, 

And  all  my  Luits  are  dead. 

4- 
How  gladly  do  I  think  and  fay, 

When  thus  it  is  with  me  ; 
Sin  to  my  Senfe  is  clean  away, 

And  fo  mall  ever  be. 

5- 
But  ah,  alas  !  th'  enfuing  Hour 

My  Lufts  arife  and  fwell, 

They  rage  and  re-inforce  their  Pow'r 

With  new  Recruits  from  Hell. 

6. 
Tho'  I  refolv'd  and  fwore  thro'  Grace 

In  very  folemn  Terms, 
I  never  mould  my  Lufts  embrace, 

Nor  yield  unto  their&Charms  j 

7- 
Yet  fuch  deceitful  Fiends  they  are, 

While  T  no  Danger  dream  ; 
I'm  fnar'd  before  I  am  aware, 

And  hurry'd  down  the  Stream. 

8. 
Into  the  Gulph  of  Sin  anon, 

Pm  plunged  Head  and  Ears  ; 
Grace  to  my  Senfe  is  wholly  gone. 

And  I  am  chain'd  in  Fears. 

9- 
'Till  ftraight  my  Lord  with  fweet  Surprize 

Returns  to  loofe  my  Bands, 

With  kind  Companion  in  his  Eves, 

And  Pardon  in  his  Hands, 


i«, 


i6o      GOSPEL   SONNETS. 

10. 

Yet  thus   my  Life    is    nothing  elfe, 
But  Heav'n  and  Hell  by  Turns ; 

My  Soul  that  now  in  Gojben  dwells, 
Anon  in  Egypt  mourns. 


SECT.    VI. 

Faith  and  Frames  compared,  or  Faith  building  upon 
Senje    dijcovered. 

i. 
T^AITH  has   for  its  Foundation  broad, 
-*■      A  ftable  Rock   on  which  I   ftand, 
The  Truth  and  Faithfulnefs  of  God  : 
All  other  Grounds  are  finking  Sand. 

2. 
My   Frames  and  Feelings  ebb  and  flow  ; 

And  when  my   Faith  depends  orTthem, 
It  fleets  and  ftaggers  to  and   fro, 

And  dies  amidil  the  dyiag  Frame. 

•   .      .  3-  '     • 

That  Faith   is  furely  moft  unftay'd 

Its  ftaggering    can't  be  counted  ftrange, 

That   builds    its  Hope   of  lafting  Aid, 

On  Things  that  ev'ry  Moment  change 

'     4- 
But  could  my  Faith  lay  all  its  Load, 

On  JESUS'  everlafting  Name  -, 

Upon  the Righteoufhefs  of  God, 

And  divine  Truth  that's  ftill  the  fame  t 

Could  I  believe  what  God  has  fpoke, 

Rely   on  his  unchanging  Love  ; 
And  ceafe  to  grafp  at  fleeting  Smoke, 

No  Changes    would  my  Mountain  mwe. 


Part  VI.      The  Believer's  Prin ciples .       261 

6. 
But  when  how  foon  the  Frame's  away, 

And  comfortable   Feelings  fail  5 
So  foon  my  Faith  falls   in  Decay, 

And   unbelieving  Doubts  prevail : 

?• 

This   proves  the  Charge  of  latent  Vice, 

And   plain  my  Faith's  Defects  may  ihow  ; 
I  built  the  Houfe  on  thawing  Ice, 
That  tumbles  with  the  melting  Snow. 

8. 
When  divine  Smiles  in  fight  appear, 

And  I  enjoy  the  heav'nly  Gale ; 
When  Wind  and  Tide,  and  all  is  fair, 

I  dream  my  Faith  .{hall  never  fail : 

1    v  9- 

My  Heart  win  falfe  Conclufions  draw, 

That  ftrong  my  Mountain  {hall  remain  ; 

That  in  my  Faith  there  is  no  Flaw, 

m  I'll  never,  never  doubt  again. 

10. 
I  think  the  only  Reft  I  take, 

Is  God's  unfading  Word  and  Name  ; 
And  fancy  not  my  Faith  fo  weak, 

As  e'er  to  truft   a  fading  Frame. 

1 1. 
'But  ah  !  by  fudden  Turns    I  fee 

My  lying  Heart's    fallacious  Guilt, 
And  that  my  Faith  not  firm  in  me, 

On  finking  Sand  was  partly  built ; 

12. 
For  lo  !  when  warming  Beams  are  gone, 

And  Shadows  fall  j"  alas  'tis  cdi 
[   cannot,  wait  the  rifmg  Sun, 

I  cannot  truft  a  hiding  Gcd. 

S  3  .11. 


262        GOSPEL    SONNETS. 

13- 

So  much  my  Faith's  Affiance  feems 

On  fading  Joys  to  reft  and  hing, 
That  when  I  lofe  the  dying  Streamy 

I  cannot  truft  the  living  Spring. 

.  r         ■  H-  . 

When  Drops  of  Comfort  quickly  dry'd, 

And  fenfible  Enjoyments  fail  ; 

When  chearing  Apples  are  deny'd, 

Then  Doubts  inftead  of  Faith  prevail. 

But  why,  tho'  Fruit  be  fnatch'd  from  me, 
Should  I  diftruft  the  glorious  Root  ; 

And  ftill  affront  the  ftanding-Tree, 
By  trufting  more  to  falling  Fruit  r 

1 6. 

The  fmallefl  Trials  may  evince 
My  Faith  unfit  to  ftand  the  Shock, 

That  more  depends  on  fleeting  Senfe, 
Than  on  the  fix'd  eternal  Rock. 

The  fafeft  Ark  when  Floods  arife, 
Is  ftable  Truth  that  changes  not ; 
How  weak's  my  Faith  that  more  relies 

0  '  feeble  Senfe* .  boating  Boat  ? 

18. 
For  when  the  fleeting  Frame  is  gone, 

1  ftraight  iny  State  in  queftion  call  % 
I  droop  and  fink  in  Deeps  anon, 

As  if  my  Frame  were  all  in  all. 

19. 
But  tho'  I  mifs  the  pleafing  Gale, 

And  Keav'n  withdraw  the  charming  Glance ; 
Unlefs  JEHOVAK's  Oath  can  fail, 

My  Faith  may  keep  its  Countenance. 


20. 


Part  VI.      *tbe  Believer's  Principles.       263 

20. 
The  Frame  of  Nature  fhall  decay, 

Time- Changes  break  her  ruily  Chains 
Yea  Heav'n  and  Earth  fhall  pafs  away, 

But  Faith's  Foundation  firm  remains. 
21. 
Heav'n's  Promifes  fo  fix'dly  ftand, 

Engrav'd  with  an  immortal  Pen, 
In  great  Immanuel's  mighty  Hand, 

All  Hell"s  Attempts  to  raze  are  vain. 

22. 
Did  Faith  with  none  but  Truth  advife, 

My  fteady  Soul  woyld  move  no  more, 
Than  ftable  Hills  when  Tempefts  rife, 

Or  folid  Rocks  when  Billows  roar. 

23- 

But  when  my  Faith  the  Counfel  hears 

Of  prefent  Senfe  and  Reafon  blind, 
My  wav'ring  Spirit  then  appears 
A  Feather  tofs'd  with  every  Wind. 

24. 
Lame  Legs  of  Faith  unequal  crook, 

Thus  mine,  alas  !   unev'nly  ftand  : 
£lfe  I  would  truft  my  ftable  Rock, 

Not  fading  Frames  and  feeble  Sand  : 

25. 
I  would,  when  dying  Comforts  fly, 

As  much  as  when  they  prefent  were. 
Upon  my  living  Joy  rely  5 

Help,  Lord,  for  here  I  daily  err. 


CHAP. 


264       GOSPEL     SONNETS. 

CHAP.    V. 

The  Believer's  Principles. 
Concerning  Heaven  and  Earth. 


SECT.     I. 

Ihe  Work  and  Contention  of  Heaven, 

i. 

N  heav'nly  Choirs  a  Queftion  rofe, 
That  ftirr'd  up  Strife  will  never  clofe, 
What  Rank  of  all  the  ranfom'd  Race 
Owes  higheft  Praife  to  fov' reign  Grace  ? 

2. 
Babes  thither  caught  from  Womb  and  Bread, 
Claim' d  Right  to  fjng  above  the   reft  : 
Becaufe   they  found  the  happy  Shore, 
They  never  faw   nor  fought  before. 
* 

Thofe  that  arriv'd  at  riper  Age, 
Before  they  left   the  dufcy  Stage, 
Thought  Grace  deferv'd  yet  higher  Praife, 
THat  wafh'd    the  Blots   of  num'rous  Days. 

4« 
Aeon,  the  War  more  clofe  began, 
What  praifing  Harp  fhould   lead  the  Van  ? 
And  which  of  Grace's  heav'nly  Peers 
Was  deepeft  run  in  her  Arrears  I 


Part  VI.     'The  Believer's  Principles.       265 

"  'Tis  I  (faid  one)  'bove  all  my  Race, 
"Am  Debtor  chief  to  glorious  Grace. 
iC  Nay,  (faid  another)  hark,   I  trow 
"  I'm  more  oblig'd   to  Grace  than  you. 

6. 
"  Stay,  (faid  a  third)  I  deepeft  fhare 
"Tn  owing  Praife  beyond  compare; 
"  The  chief  of  Sinners,  you'll  allow, 
"  Muft  he  the  chief  of  Singers  now. 

'  Hold,  (faid  a  fourth)  I  here  proteft 
My  Praifes  muft  outvie  the  beft; 
For   I'm  of  all  the  humane  Race 
The  higheft  Miracle  of  Grace. 

8. 
Stop,  (faid  a  fifth)  thefe  Notes  forbear, 
Lo,  Pm  the  greateft  Wonder  here  5 
For  I  of  all  the  Race  that  fell, 
««  Deferv'd  the  loweft  Place   in  Hell. 

9- 
A  Soul  that  higher  yet  afpir'd 

With  equal  Love   to  Jesus  flr'd, 

"  'Tis  mine  to  fing  the  higheft  Notes 

"  To  Love,  that  wafh'd  the  fouleft  Blots. 

10. 
"  Ho,  (cry'd  a  Mate)  'tis  mine  Pll  prove, 

c  Who  finnM  in  fpite  of  Light  and  Love, 
"  To  found  his  Praife  with  loudeft  Bell, 

:  That  fav'd  me  from  the  loweft  Hell. 

11. 

<  Come,  come,  (faid  one)  I'll  hold  the  Plea, 
'  1  hat  higheft  Praife  is  due  by  me 


'  For  mine  of  all  the  fav'd  bv  Grace, 
'  Was  the  moft  dreadful,   defperate  C 


Cafe. 

12 


z66     GOSPEL    S^     \\ETS. 

12. 

Another   rifing   at   his   Side, 

As  fond   to  praife,    and   free    of  Pride, 

Cry'd,  "  Pray  give  Place    for  I  defy 

"  That  you  mould   owe   more  Praife  than  I ; 

<c  Pll   yield  to  none   in  this   Debate, 

"  Pm    run    fo  deep  in  Grace's   Debt; 

"  That   fure   I  am,     I   boldly  can 

"  Compare  with  all   the   heavenly   Clan. 

14. 
Quick,    o'er   their   Heads  a  Trump   awoke, 
44  Your   Songs   my   very   Heart   have  fpoke ; 
*c  But   every   Note  you/  here  propale* 
<c  Belongs  to   me    beyond  you  all. 

Iv 

The   lift'ning  Millions  round  about, 

With    fweet    Refentment   loudly   fhout ; 
ic  What   Voice  is  this   comparing    Notes, 
u  That  to  their   Song  chief  place  allotesj 

16. 
<c  We  can't   allow   of   fuch  a  Sound, 
"  That   you   alone  have    higher!  ground 
*  To  fing   the  Royalties  of  Grace, 
44  We  claim   the  ,fame  adoring   Place. 

What !  will  no  Rival-Singer  yield, 
He   has  a  Match   upon  the    Field  ? 
Come   then,   and,   let  us   all   agree 
To   praife   upon  the  higheft  Key. 

18. 
Then  jointly  all  the   Harpers  round 
In  ,  Mind    unite,    with   folemn  Sound 
And  Strokes    upon   the   higheft  String, 
Made  all   the  heavenly   Arches  ring  $ 


Part  VI.    rthe  Believer's  Principles.         26 7 
19. 

Ring  loud,  with  Hallelujahs  high$ 
To  him  that  fent  his  Son  to  die; 
And  to  the  worthy  Lamb  of  God 
lhat  lovd  and  waftfd  the?n  in  his  Blood. 

20. 
Free  Grace  was  fov'reign  Emprefs  crown'd 
In  Pomp,  with  joyful  Shouts  around : 
Aflifting  Angels  clapt  their  Wings, 
And  founded  Grace  on  all  their  Strings. 

21. 

The  Emulation  round  the  Throne 
Made  proftrate  flofts  (who  every  one 
The  humbleft  Place  their  Right  avow) 
Strive  who  Jhould  gfaje  the  loweji  Bow. 

22. 
The  next  Contention  without  Vice 
Among  the  Birds  of  Paradife, 
Made  every  glorious  warbling  Throat 
Strive  who  Jhould  raife  the  higheft  Note, 

23- 
Thus  in  Tweet,  holy,  humble  Strife, 
Along  their  endlefs,  joyful  Life, 
Of  Jesus  all  the  Harpers  rove, 
And'fing  the  Wonders  of  his  Love. 

24. 
Their  Difcord  makes  them  all  unite 
In  Raptures  moft  divinely  fweet ; 
So  great  the  Song,  fo  grave  the  Bafe, 
Melodious  Mufick  fills  the  Place. 


SECT. 


H6S      GOSPEL  SONNETS. 

SECT.    II. 

Earth  d/fyicable,  Heaven  deferable. 

I. 

T Here's  nothing  round  the  fpacious  Earth 
To  fuit  my  vaft  Defires, 
To  more  refin'd  and    folid  Mirth 
My-boundlefs  Thought  afpires. 

2. 

Fain  would   I  leave  this  mournful  Place, 
Ti       Mufick  dull,  where  none 

But  heavy  Notes  have  any- Grace, 
And  Mirth  accents  the  Moam 

■     3' 
Where  Troubles  tread  upon  Reliefs, 

New  Woes  with  older  blend  ; 

Where  rolling  Storms  and  circling  Griefs, 

Run  round  without  an  End. 

4- 
Where  Waters  wreftling   with  the  Stones 

Dc  fight  themfelves  to  Foam, 

And  hollow  Clouds  with    thund'ring'Groans., 

Difcharge  their  pregnant  Womb. 

VvThere  Eagles  mounting  meet  with  rubs 

That  dafh  them  from  the  Sky  : 
And  Cedars  fhrinking  into  Shrubs, 

In  Ruin  proftrate  lie. 

,        .  6. 

Where  Sin   the  Author  of  Turmoils, 

The  Caufe  of  Death  and  Hell. 
The.  one  Thing  foul  that  all  Things  foils, 

Does  moft  befriended  dwell. 


APRIL,  1906.  No.    80. 


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ERSKINE  (Ralph).  Gospel  Sonnets;  or,  Spiritual 
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